Family Promise names new executive director
February 22, 2017
Karen Newsome, an ordained Presbyterian minister, has been named executive director of Family Promise of the Midlands, a coalition of 27 Midlands congregations that house and serve homeless families.
“The issue of homelessness touches my heart, and I am very pleased to be able to work with the faith community to address this problem,” said the Newsome.
Through the Family Promise program, families experiencing homelessness find hospitality with congregations who create temporary bedrooms in spaces that often go unused during the week. The organization’s professional staff helps those families get back on their feet. In two years of operation, Family Promise has served 27 families (99 people); 17 of those families have transitioned to permanent housing.
“Family Promise is making a difference for homeless families, and Karen will help us take our ministry to the next level,” said Randy Covington, Family Promise board chair.
From 2009 until 2014, Newsome served as pastor of Sion Presbyterian Church in Winnsboro. Previously she was interim senior pastor of Spring Valley Presbyterian Church. Newsome replaces the organization’s first director, Kathleen McLean-Titus, who has accepted a position with the Methodist Conference.
The Midlands organization is one of more than 200 Family Promise affiliates across the nation. Nationally, Family Promise helps more than 50,000 people in need each year.
Here in the Midlands, the following congregations host homeless families: Ashland United Methodist, Bethel United Methodist, Eastminster Presbyterian, Ebenezer Lutheran, Forest Lake Presbyterian, Northminster Presbyterian, Redeemer Lutheran, Seven Oaks Presbyterian, Shandon Presbyterian, St. Andrew’s Lutheran, St. John’s Episcopal, St. Martin’s In-the-Fields Episcopal, St. Mary’s Episcopal, Trenholm Road United Methodist, Trinity Presbyterian and Trinity United Methodist,
They are supported by the following congregations: Blythewood Presbyterian, Christ the King Lutheran, Church of the Cross Episcopal, Francis Burns United Methodist, Good Shepherd Lutheran, Greenlawn Baptist, Living Springs Lutheran, St. Andrew’s Baptist, Virginia Wingard United Methodist and Westminster Presbyterian.
The Family Promise Day center is located at Heyward Street United Methodist.
Find Family Promise of the Midlands online at www.familypromisemidlands.org.
