A promise to Escambia families.
Organization aims to stop homelessness before it starts.
By Allison McCrory Photos by Kate Treick Photography
As a single mother of three who had been evicted twice, Jen reached out in 2023 to Family Promise of Escambia County, an organization focused on preventing homelessness.
Then-executive-director Jennifer Lusher immediately saw a passion in the young mom to not only survive but thrive.
“What stood out immediately was Jen’s determination. Despite everything, she hadn’t given up. She had a fire in her belly that pushed her forward — determined to build a stable life,” Lusher said. “At Family Promise, we met her where she was with compassion, resources and a plan.”
Jen and her children lived in Family Promise’s emergency shelter while staff and volunteers walked alongside her on a path toward stability.
Emergency shelters like the one where Jen’s family stayed are scattered throughout the community with eight area churches providing housing and meals in the evenings while a day center at First United Methodist Church provides internet access, showers and laundry facilities. Staff and volunteers at the day center connect families with financial resources and assist with job and housing searches.
“Jen worked incredibly hard, taking full advantage of our wrap-around services. She attended financial literacy classes, parenting support sessions and job readiness workshops — all while juggling the responsibilities of raising three children,” recalled Lusher.
She landed a remote job, earning a stable income while still being able to monitor her children. A benevolent landlord took a chance on her despite her dismal rental history.
“That one act of trust changed everything,” Lusher said.
With a safe, clean place to live and renewed hope, Jen took on extra work, built an emergency fund and now has her eyes set on home ownership.
“Her children are thriving in school and finally have a sense of normalcy,” Lusher explained.
PROVIDING A BUFFER FOR FAMILIES STRUGGLING TO STAY HOUSED
Escambia’s Family Promise chapter was founded in 2019 — one of 200 affiliates across the United States. In an economy where costs are increasing faster than wages, its services are needed now more than ever.
“For low-income families, even a small financial setback — such as an unexpected medical bill, car repair or reduced work hours — can push them into a housing crisis,” Lusher explained. “Affordable housing is increasingly scarce, and rental prices continue to climb, often outpacing what working families can realistically afford. This growing gap between income and basic expenses leaves many families just one step away from homelessness.”
Since launching, Escambia’s Family Promise has impacted nearly 600 people via emergency shelter, referrals to community resources, financial assistance, bridge housing and comprehensive wrap-around care.
Lusher said the demand for emergency shelter and support services continues to grow, highlighting the urgent need for both immediate assistance and long-term solutions in our community. There are many more families like Jen’s whose lives hang in the balance between stability and instability.
“Jen’s story is more than a success — it’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when resilience meets opportunity. Her journey reflects the very heart of Family Promise’s mission: that every family deserves a chance, and with the right support, they can write a new story for their future. Jen didn’t just find housing — she found hope, and she’s building a future her children can be proud of.”
Houser Memorial & LeaP 2025 partner to build hope
Houser Memorial AME Church owned a vacant parsonage. The Leadership Pensacola Class of ‘25 was seeking a project. And families at risk of homelessness needed safe shelter. The trifecta merged beautifully into a home that is offering safe harbor as well as hope to Escambia families who are out of options.
“The project centered around an unused parsonage home owned by Houser Memorial. Rather than let it sit vacant, the church had the faith and vision to take the first step with us, generously offering the home as a potential space for families in need. That one decision became the foundation for something extraordinary,” explained Jennifer Lusher, former Family Promise executive director.
“The LeaP Class of 2025 took on the renovation as their class project — and their passion, commitment and drive brought it to life in ways we could never have imagined. They raised over $101,000 to completely renovate the home, turning it from an empty structure into a warm, welcoming space for families experiencing housing instability. With generous support from community partners like Lowes and Ashley Outlet Pensacola, the house was fully furnished and transformed into a true home,” Lusher said, adding thanks to the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring Leadership Pensacola and to PenAir for contributing to the transformation.
It’s a win for families on the brink of homelessness as well as for LeaP and Houser members basking in the glow of strengthening the town they call home.
“This project is a testament to the power of community — and a reminder that solving homelessness isn’t something one organization can do alone. It takes all of us, working side by side, to lift families out of crisis and into a future filled with hope.”
