A Local Mother’s Journey from Homelessness to Hope
Laura*, a single mother of two—a young adult daughter and a 17-year-old son—never imagined she would be without a home. But after a family breakup, she found herself struggling to secure stable housing. Determined to rebuild their lives, she turned to Family Promise of Davie County (FPDC) for help.
Through FPDC’s transitional housing program, Laura was able to increase her work hours, save money, and take the steps necessary to secure permanent housing. With the organization’s help, she secured a Section 8 housing voucher and is now on the waitlist for an apartment. Her son will have a permanent home before he graduates from high school this year.
“This family’s journey is a testament to resilience, hope, and the power of community support,” said Lisa Reynolds, FPDC’s executive director. “Because of our program and the generosity of donors, Laura and her children are building a brighter future.”
The Hidden Crisis of Family Homelessness
While homelessness is often associated with individuals living on the streets, family homelessness is a growing but largely invisible crisis. The statistics are staggering:
- 2.5 million children in the U.S. experience homelessness each year.
- 1 in 30 children faces homelessness annually.
- 30% of all homeless individuals are families with children.
“Family and rural homelessness is an invisible crisis, but just because we don’t see it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Last year, 124 Davie County students were identified as experiencing homelessness,” said Reynolds. “Many families live in motels, cars, or overcrowded spaces with relatives, struggling to find a stable place to call home. And the need is growing—since 2022, requests for FPDC services have increased by 38%.”
“The affordable housing crisis is pushing more families to the brink,” she explained. “A single setback—like a car repair, medical bill, or missed paycheck—can force families into homelessness.”
How You Can Make a Difference
On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, FPDC will host its annual Family Promise Giving Day—a 24-hour online giving event to raise awareness and funds for local families facing homelessness. Every dollar raised will go directly to FPDC’s critical programs, including emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, and transitional housing services.
Why Your Support Matters:
- $500 can help prevent a family from becoming homeless.
- 23 weeks is the average time it takes for families in FPDC’s program to secure permanent housing.
- 94% of families who complete FPDC’s Shelter and Transitional Housing programs remain housed one year later.
The Reality of Housing in Davie County
The root causes of homelessness—lack of affordable housing, unemployment, and poverty—are challenging in Davie County. Consider these realities:
- The average two-bedroom apartment costs $1,110/month, up 52% in the last five years.
- A minimum-wage worker in Davie County would need to work 118 hours per week to afford rent.
- The Section 8 housing waitlist is 3 to 5 years long (3 to 6 months if you are considered homeless by HUD), and every apartment complex in the county has a waitlist.
- Very few private landlords accept subsidized housing vouchers.
- The average weekly cost of a hotel is $250—an unsustainable burden for struggling families.
- The average cost for childcare in Davie County is $950/month.
- There are no second or third-shift daycares and only 25-30 infant spots in the county, making it even harder for parents to work full-time.
“If families are spending more than 30% of their income on housing, which we often see that they are, one seemingly minor setback can cause a major crisis. Missing a couple of days of work to care for a sick child or having car troubles can spiral into something so much larger.”
Join the Movement: Every Child Deserves a Home
Family Promise Giving Day is an opportunity for the Davie County community to come together and make a lasting impact. Your donation helps families like Laura’s move from crisis to stability, ensuring children have a safe place to sleep each night.
- $50 covers two apartment application fees
- $100 provides families with supplies while in the FPDC shelter and transitional housing
- $250 provides one week of shelter for all families
- $500 prevents homelessness for one family
- $1000 provides one month of shelter for all families
Your gift can go even further! Thanks to a generous $2,000 matching donation from Wayne Sanderson Farms and a $500 matching donation from Budget Blinds of Lexington, Salisbury, Thomasville, and High Point South, the first $2,500 in donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar. This is a great opportunity to double the impact of your contribution and help us support families experiencing homelessness. Together, we can make a real difference!
Here’s how you can help:
- Donate online at https://www.fpgives.org/organizations/family-promise-of-davie-county.
- Mail a check to FPDC at P.O. Box 1536, Mocksville, NC 27028.
- Spread the word on social media using #FamilyPromiseGivingDay2025.
Together, we can keep families home for good. Join us on April 22nd—because every child deserves a home!
About Family Promise of Davie County
Founded in Mocksville, NC, in 2017, Family Promise of Davie County is the leading nonprofit addressing family homelessness in our community. Through prevention services, emergency shelter, and housing support, FPDC helps families develop the skills and resources needed for long-term independence. Since its inception, FPDC has served over 1,800 parents and children on their journey toward stability.
For more information, visit https://www.familypromisedc.org/what-we-do or call (336) 284-4200.
*Name changed for privacy.