Reaching for “More”: How Family Promise of Gwinnett Builds Stronger Families
Reaching for “More”: How Family Promise of Gwinnett Builds Stronger Families
Everybody needs somebody to call them to “more”.
Throughout her career, several people have called Carol Love to use her gifts and talents for more, and as executive director of Family Promise of Gwinnett, Carol and her team are doing just that for local families experiencing homelessness.
Her career began in accounting.
“Everybody says, ‘Death and taxes, you’ll always have a job,’” Carol shared.
But in the economic downturn of 2009, Carol was laid off from her stable job and thrust into a season of uncertainty. This unexpected loss, however, opened an unexpected career door.
“My parents were both faithful teachers, and I didn’t see them move around jobs or change careers or anything. They were committed to the ministry they were doing at the school, so I felt as though I only had one path,” she said.
“It became a huge blessing when I found myself unemployed for a little over a year,” she said. “During that time, I was figuring out who I was.”
She started volunteering at Norcross Co-op (now Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries), sorting clothes and food. The executive director suggested Carol work as a case manager with the families the co-op served.
“She saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself,” she said. “I thought I could only do one job.”
The executive director then suggested that Carol help MUST Ministries launch a summer program, and yet another local co-op executive director shared that Family Promise was looking for a director for their Salt Light Center.
“They wanted to open a cold weather shelter for single women and women with children in the country,” Carol explained. “I have an accounting degree. I’d never even stepped into a shelter, but the Lord equips you for where you’re called.”
After leading the Salt Light Center for almost two years, Carol became pregnant and left Family Promise for a position that allowed her to work from home. Once her son started going to preschool, Carol remained in the job — until someone else called her to more.
“A friend called me and said, ‘Carol, you are not using your talents. You’re sitting at home thinking God can only provide for you in this one position. I see you out talking with people and changing people’s lives,’” Carol remembered.
Then, Family Promise of Gwinnett’s previous executive director, Brent Bohanan, encouraged Carol to apply for his position after he stepped away.
Over six years ago, Carol officially became Executive Director of Family Promise of Gwinnett.
“What draws me to Family Promise is our mission, which is mobilizing the community to help [fight] homelessness one family at a time,” she said.
To support families struggling with housing insecurity, Family Promise offers overnight shelter for families with children ages 18 and under in Gwinnett County. Families who stay in the shelter also participate in a 30- to 90-day program.
“We provide food, clothing, shelter and all of those [basic] needs, but we’re also helping them move up the ladder of self-sufficiency,” she said. “When [families] come in, if they don’t have a job, their full-time ‘job’ is looking for one. We offer financial training, do resume prep and job interview skills and help them develop better habits.”
These programs not only help parents find stability but also find confidence. One mom recently came to Family Promise, and she needed both.
She’d been referred by Georgia Wellness Group, which had been serving her throughout her pregnancy. Through a partnership with another nonprofit, Georgia Wellness Group arranged for transportation for this mother so she could enroll in Family Promise’s program.
“I could see the skillset she had that she didn’t even know about,” Carol recalls. “We showed her she had skills and how she could utilize those skills to get to the next level and gain confidence.
“We watched her go from unemployed to employed and move into Rainbow Village.”
These are the success stories that Carol loves, not just because a single mom found stability, but also because multiple organizations partnered to help the mother and baby build a better life. And that same “more” that people spoke into her life, she’s been able to speak for others.
This year, Carol hopes to expand Family Promise’s Strong Foundations initiative and rally the community to support families facing homelessness.
“We train and mobilize mentors from congregations, businesses and the community who want to help but don’t always feel like they have the tools. We give them those tools,” Carol shared.
“We’re building a network of equipped neighbors walking alongside families — creating lasting changes, stronger support systems and a transformed community from the inside out.”
For many families in the community, homelessness isn’t the result of laziness or addiction. One bad day can lead to a slippery slope ending in housing insecurity for parents and their kids.
“About 53% of Americans are one unforeseen expense away from experiencing the downward cycle towards homelessness. You miss a paycheck. You miss work because of a medical issue. Your kid is sick, and you’re an hourly employee so you’re not getting paid,” she explained.
With this network, mentors can partner with families to weather the crisis and move towards stability.
“We all have time, talent and treasure,” Carol said. “Anybody who touches Family Promise is transformed, whether you’re a part of the program, if you’re a volunteer or if you’re donating money. Even if you haven’t set foot on this campus, you can change the lives of generations.”
Transform generations with a few clicks when you donate to Family Promise of Gwinnett’s fund.
Reaching for “More”: How Family Promise of Gwinnett Builds Stronger Families
Reaching for “More”: How Family Promise of Gwinnett Builds Stronger Families
Everybody needs somebody to call them to “more”.
Throughout her career, several people have called Carol Love to use her gifts and talents for more, and as executive director of Family Promise of Gwinnett, Carol and her team are doing just that for local families experiencing homelessness.
Her career began in accounting.
“Everybody says, ‘Death and taxes, you’ll always have a job,’” Carol shared.
But in the economic downturn of 2009, Carol was laid off from her stable job and thrust into a season of uncertainty. This unexpected loss, however, opened an unexpected career door.
“My parents were both faithful teachers, and I didn’t see them move around jobs or change careers or anything. They were committed to the ministry they were doing at the school, so I felt as though I only had one path,” she said.
“It became a huge blessing when I found myself unemployed for a little over a year,” she said. “During that time, I was figuring out who I was.”
She started volunteering at Norcross Co-op (now Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries), sorting clothes and food. The executive director suggested Carol work as a case manager with the families the co-op served.
“She saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself,” she said. “I thought I could only do one job.”
The executive director then suggested that Carol help MUST Ministries launch a summer program, and yet another local co-op executive director shared that Family Promise was looking for a director for their Salt Light Center.
“They wanted to open a cold weather shelter for single women and women with children in the country,” Carol explained. “I have an accounting degree. I’d never even stepped into a shelter, but the Lord equips you for where you’re called.”
After leading the Salt Light Center for almost two years, Carol became pregnant and left Family Promise for a position that allowed her to work from home. Once her son started going to preschool, Carol remained in the job — until someone else called her to more.
“A friend called me and said, ‘Carol, you are not using your talents. You’re sitting at home thinking God can only provide for you in this one position. I see you out talking with people and changing people’s lives,’” Carol remembered.
Then, Family Promise of Gwinnett’s previous executive director, Brent Bohanan, encouraged Carol to apply for his position after he stepped away.
Over six years ago, Carol officially became Executive Director of Family Promise of Gwinnett.
“What draws me to Family Promise is our mission, which is mobilizing the community to help [fight] homelessness one family at a time,” she said.
To support families struggling with housing insecurity, Family Promise offers overnight shelter for families with children ages 18 and under in Gwinnett County. Families who stay in the shelter also participate in a 30- to 90-day program.
“We provide food, clothing, shelter and all of those [basic] needs, but we’re also helping them move up the ladder of self-sufficiency,” she said. “When [families] come in, if they don’t have a job, their full-time ‘job’ is looking for one. We offer financial training, do resume prep and job interview skills and help them develop better habits.”
These programs not only help parents find stability but also find confidence. One mom recently came to Family Promise, and she needed both.
She’d been referred by Georgia Wellness Group, which had been serving her throughout her pregnancy. Through a partnership with another nonprofit, Georgia Wellness Group arranged for transportation for this mother so she could enroll in Family Promise’s program.
“I could see the skillset she had that she didn’t even know about,” Carol recalls. “We showed her she had skills and how she could utilize those skills to get to the next level and gain confidence.
“We watched her go from unemployed to employed and move into Rainbow Village.”
These are the success stories that Carol loves, not just because a single mom found stability, but also because multiple organizations partnered to help the mother and baby build a better life. And that same “more” that people spoke into her life, she’s been able to speak for others.
This year, Carol hopes to expand Family Promise’s Strong Foundations initiative and rally the community to support families facing homelessness.
“We train and mobilize mentors from congregations, businesses and the community who want to help but don’t always feel like they have the tools. We give them those tools,” Carol shared.
“We’re building a network of equipped neighbors walking alongside families — creating lasting changes, stronger support systems and a transformed community from the inside out.”
For many families in the community, homelessness isn’t the result of laziness or addiction. One bad day can lead to a slippery slope ending in housing insecurity for parents and their kids.
“About 53% of Americans are one unforeseen expense away from experiencing the downward cycle towards homelessness. You miss a paycheck. You miss work because of a medical issue. Your kid is sick, and you’re an hourly employee so you’re not getting paid,” she explained.
With this network, mentors can partner with families to weather the crisis and move towards stability.
“We all have time, talent and treasure,” Carol said. “Anybody who touches Family Promise is transformed, whether you’re a part of the program, if you’re a volunteer or if you’re donating money. Even if you haven’t set foot on this campus, you can change the lives of generations.”
Transform generations with a few clicks when you donate to Family Promise of Gwinnett’s fund.
