Family Promise of Greater Orlando (FPGO), a national organization committed to helping low-income families achieve lasting independence, announced today the appointment of its new Executive Director, Sharon Whitley.
“As a national nonprofit with a local presence, Family Promise required a combination of vision, compassion and management expertise in its leader,” said Amy Lord, the organization’s Board President. “Sharon brings all of these qualities to the organization, and we believe she can lead FPGO to the next level.”
Ms. Whitley joins Family Promise with five years of experience in the nonprofit charitable arena as well as over 15 years in business management. Her diversified career portfolio includes fiscal management, operations, program and fund management. Her passion and commitment to helping disadvantaged individuals and families in our community will serve FPGO’s goals and missions as it continues to house families in need.
“I am thrilled to have been selected as Family Promise’s next Executive Director,” said Ms. Whitley. I look forward to working with our Board of Directors, our congregations and volunteers to grow the organization.”
Family Promise of Greater Orlando
The mission of Family Promise of Greater Orlando, whose primary program is Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN), is to mobilize volunteers in the faith community to help homeless families achieve and sustain self-sufficiency and to advocate for adequate housing and support services in Orange and Seminole counties.
Nationally, Family Promise has established 150 affiliates in 40 states, using the services of more than 130,000 volunteers and 5,000 congregations. The organization provides shelter, meals, housing and job placement support to more than 45,000 homeless family members annually, 60 percent of them children.
Families with children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. According to the National Center on Family Homelessness, over 1.5 million children experience homelessness each year. In Central Florida, 4,726 children were identified as homeless in the 2008-09 academic year in Orange, Seminole and Osceola Counties (Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Student Assistance, 2008-2009 Final Survey Homeless Counts). The current economic crisis promises to increase the number of families forced into homelessness.
If you would like more information on FPGO, please contact Sharon Whitley at [email protected] or phone 407.893.4588.
