Freedom to Dream: What Independence Means to Families Experiencing Homelessness

Introduction: The Spirit of Independence

As America celebrates its 249th year of independence, we honor more than just fireworks and parades. We honor the freedom to hope, to belong, and to build a future. At Family Promise of Cobb County (FPCC), we see that spirit every day in families striving to overcome homelessness and embrace self-reliance.

This post explores what independence means to families experiencing homelessness, how FPCC fosters freedom through housing, employment, and support, and how you, through volunteering or donating, can help grant someone the freedom to dream.

Housing → Independence → Dignity

Housing provides families with stability. Stability fosters independence. Independence restores dignity.

• In 2024, FPCC supported 22 families through shelter and provided 12 families the chance to graduate into independent living.

• 75% of our graduates from transitional housing have maintained independence long-term.

• Meanwhile, in Cobb County, 51.8% of households spend over 30% of their income on rent - highlighting severe housing cost burdens (cobbhomelessalliance.org).

  
  

These data points show that when families attain stable housing, they're more likely to sustain progress, reducing the risk of homelessness recurrence.

Voices of Independence: What It Means to Families

“When we had our own house, we had security, a place to relax, and privacy.… The word ‘homeless’ didn’t define me and my family.”— A teen served by Family Promise (familypromise.org)

Independence means the freedom to live and love without fear.

Inside FPCC, our families define independence as more than shelter. It’s about creating routines, picking your child up from school on time, preparing a meal in your own kitchen, and reclaiming autonomy, to parent without uncertainty or stress.

Employment → Empowerment → Hope

Employment opens opportunity. Opportunity empowers families. Empowerment renews hope.

FPCC provides job readiness workshops, resume coaching, and financial literacy classes at times in partnership with other community orgizations:

• Financial literacy courses equip parents with budgeting and money-management skills.

• Between 2014 and 2024, FPCC helped 588 families connect for assistance, creating pathways to employment and income stability .

When families regain control of their finances, they reduce dependence on shelter and social services, gaining both confidence and autonomy.

Community → Support → Self‑Sufficiency

Community provides support. Support strengthens families. Strength builds self‑sufficiency.

FPCC’s model is rooted in faith‑community partnership:

• In 2024, 73 individuals (48 children, 25 adults) benefited from FPCC’s wraparound services.

• Our rotational shelter model uses existing congregation spaces, fostering community bonds and significantly reducing overhead costs.

• Nationally, Family Promise affiliates rely on 800–1,000 volunteers yearly, humanizing support while helping families re‑enter stable environments.

This solidarity equips families with networks that extend beyond FPCC’s support, encouraging long-term resilience and independence.

Real Impact Spotlight: Transitional and Rotational Housing

FPCC’s transitional housing offers time-limited living solutions designed to spark growth and independence:

• In 2024, 12 families moved from FPCC into independent housing, with 75% maintaining long-term success (fpcobb.org).

• Cobb County’s median rent was $1,740 in 2023—a 39% increase since 2019—placing stable housing out of reach (cobbhomelessalliance.org).

• Family Promise National affiliates report 74% of families move from rotational shelter to permanent housing within nine weeks (en.wikipedia.org).

Our transitional housing doesn’t just offer shelter, it offers a launchpad toward freedom.

Why Independence Matters: The Big Picture

Families experiencing homelessness face intertwined challenges:

• Children experiencing homelessness are more likely to experience disruptions in schooling and health (fpcobb.org, en.wikipedia.org).

• Housing instability increases risks of anxiety, depression—especially among youth aged 6–17 (arxiv.org).

• The U.S. defines housing insecurity as spending more than 30% of income on housing, yet most families in Cobb County already exceed that threshold (en.wikipedia.org).

Securing independent housing is not a luxury, it's a necessity to support children’s health, family stability, and equitable opportunity.

Celebrating Freedom: Independence Day & Family Freedom

This July, let’s see independence in action:

• Freedom to dream: to imagine a future rooted in hope, not survival.

• Freedom to parent: to create stability and routines for children.

• Freedom to build: to pursue education, employment, and community ties.

FPCC doesn't rescue families, we empower them to rebuild, reclaim, and redefine independence, celebrating their dignity and strength.

How You Can Help

Help grant families the freedom to dream:

1. Donate: Your gift—$500 could cover a month of stable housing for a family; any amount makes a difference.

2. Volunteer: Contact us to find our about our current volunteer opportunities.

3. Spread the Word: Share this post and encourage your network to support families' journey toward independence.

   
   

Brighter futures begin with you. Let’s honor independence by empowering families to build it themselves.

The Promise of Independence

At its heart, the spirit of July is about more than independence, it’s about choice, community, and possibility. At FPCC, we are privileged to witness the transformative power of these values lived out by families.

Together, we’re helping families experiencing homelessness step into homes, jobs, and community. Together, we’re giving them the freedom to dream.

Will you join us today? Let’s celebrate real independence, powered by dignity, strengthened by empathy, and made possible through your kindness.