17 Jun We Support Families Navigate the Summer

For many families we serve in our emergency shelter and transitional housing programs, summer is not just a season of fun. It is a time when costs increase and routines disappear. With school out, families must provide more meals at home while also finding safe and affordable childcare. Summer camps can cost more than $125 per week per child, which quickly becomes out of reach. That is why planning ahead is so important. At Family Promise, we begin working with families as early as February, helping them explore camp options, connect with resources, and prepare for the months ahead. As Tiffany, a Case Manager, shares, “Our families are already balancing so much. Summer adds pressure with higher food costs and the need for childcare, which is why we start planning early. When families have time to explore resources and plan, it truly changes how they experience the summer months.”

Thanks to this proactive approach and the support of community partners, families can access opportunities that make summer more manageable. Recently, one family received assistance from a local community partner to cover camp fees, giving their child a chance to learn, grow, and enjoy the season. You can support families by organizing a collection drive and donating items through our Amazon Wish List including granola bars, fruit snacks, juice boxes, canned or microwavable meals, shelf-stable fruits, sunscreen, swim goggles and gift cards to Giant and Walmart. Donations of Weaver’s Way and Wawa gift cards will also help families who rely on walking for transportation.

Small contributions can make a big impact.