Preparing Families for the Season Ahead
As the school year wraps up and summer begins, many families look forward to vacations, barbecues, and longer days with their children. But for families facing homelessness in Cobb County, summer often marks a time of heightened stress, financial strain, and uncertainty.
At Family Promise of Cobb County, we understand that family homelessness doesn’t take a summer break. In fact, the challenges our guest families face often increase during this season, making our work more critical than ever.
The Summer Burden: What Changes When School is Out
Summer break can be a relief for some, but for vulnerable families, it’s an overwhelming shift. When school ends, so does access to free meals, reliable childcare, and daily structure. According to the National Center for Homeless Education, children experiencing homelessness are more likely to suffer from developmental delays, academic disruption, and behavioral challenges—issues that only intensify when routine and resources disappear during the summer months.
For parents, this means more time spent scrambling to cover basic needs, more difficult decisions about work versus supervision, and often, increased expenses for utilities, food, and transportation. It’s a recipe for deepening instability.
Family Homelessness in Cobb County
Homelessness among families in Cobb County is a real and growing issue. According to Cobb County School District, during the 2022–2023 academic year, over 2,000 students were identified as experiencing homelessness. These students may be living in motels, cars, shelters, or doubled up in overcrowded housing with others.
This local reality mirrors a national crisis. The U.S. Department of Education reports that over 1.1 million students were identified as homeless in the 2020–2021 school year, with experts warning that the real number is likely much higher due to underreporting.
What Family Promise of Cobb County Is Doing This Summer
At Family Promise of Cobb County, summer is one of our busiest seasons. While some nonprofits wind down for vacation, our team ramps up efforts to:
Keep families together through our rotational shelter program, allowing children and parents—including single dads—to remain a unit while they work toward stability.
Provide wraparound support, including meals, case management, transportation, and life-skills training.
Offer resources for children, including access to school supplies, clothing, books, and community programming.
We are one of the only programs in Cobb County that keeps whole families intact through the housing transition process.
Why Summer Giving Matters
Many donors tend to give around the winter holidays, when homelessness is more visible. But summer is when needs quietly surge:
Air conditioning means higher utility bills.
Kids at home mean more meals to provide.
School clothes and supplies must be bought in advance for fall.
These costs can become insurmountable for families already living paycheck to paycheck or in precarious housing situations.
This is why summer giving is essential. A one-time gift or monthly contribution during this season ensures we can keep supporting families without interruption.
How You Can Help Right Now
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to support vulnerable families in Cobb County this summer, here are a few immediate actions you can take:
✅ Donate a Walmart or Kroger Gift Card
These are incredibly useful for families who need to shop for children’s clothing, snacks, or summer supplies.
✅ Give Monthly
Becoming an Impact Partner means your support continues throughout the year—not just during the holidays.
✅ Host a Summer Supply Drive
Organize a drive for children’s books, sunscreen, reusable water bottles, or backpacks. We’ll make sure they get into the hands of families who need them.
✅ Share Our Mission
Spread the word on social media or forward this blog to someone who might want to get involved.
A Summer of Hope
We believe that every child deserves a safe place to sleep, a full belly, and the chance to enjoy summer—not worry about where they’ll lay their head. With your help, we can ensure that summer starts with shelter—and ends with hope.
As we move into June and beyond, we’re inviting you to stand with us. Family homelessness is solvable—but only if we face it together, season after season.
🌞 Make this a summer of impact. Visit fpcobb.org/give and donate today.
