In these hard economic times homelessness is affecting many people. Statistics show that over 40% of the U.S. homeless population are families with children. The Founders of Nathan Anthony Furniture, Khai Mai and Tina Nicole, felt it necessary to get involved and have been donating their time and resources when needed to Family Promise of East San Fernando Valley. It is this giving back which helps in the battle of those statistics.
Family Promise of East San Fernando Valley is a non-profit organization, heavily dependent on volunteers and near and dear to the family at Nathan Anthony Furniture. With over 160 organizations across the country Family Promise is committed to helping low-income families nationwide to achieve lasting independence. They begin with the basics – providing shelter, meals, and support services to homeless families who meet certain criteria to be admitted into the program, i.e., parents must be drug-free and alcohol-free. Once admitted into the program, Family Promise helps families navigate the many obstacles that low-income people face by creating a formal program of life-skills classes that provide aftercare support, information, advice, and real-life solutions.
Khai and Tina with their son, Nathan Anthony, first became involved in April of 2012. Whether it is making and delivering dinner, donating clothing, shoes, toys and supplies, or much-needed furniture to the families in the program, this involvement is an important part of who they are as people and as a company.
Last December, before Christmas, Robert and his teen-age son, Zachary, had been in the program for three months. With the help of Family Promise, Robert found a job and an apartment. When Khai and Tina found out that Robert and Zachary were sleeping on borrowed cots, it was then that Nathan Anthony Furniture was provided the opportunity to donate and deliver two twin size mattresses, box springs and frames. Tina Nicole says, “We were so happy to hear that Robert, whom we’d met before on our night to bring dinner to the families, found a job and an apartment through the Family Promise program. Being able to provide a comfortable mattress for Robert and Zachary to sleep on was a very gratifying feeling.” Zachary is in the tenth grade and attends Burbank High School.
To get involved and find an affiliate near you visit Family Promise today.