Family Promise of Morris County celebrates successful Fall Into Giving fundraiser

From Family Promise of Morris County:

Family Promise of Morris County welcomed more than 100 community supporters to its annual Fall Into Giving fundraiser on Sept. 18, 2026, at the Kellogg Club in Morristown, bringing together supporters, partners, and friends of the organization in support of individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing instability throughout Morris County.

The evening featured live music from Second Groove Jazz, artwork by local artist Patti Kaufman, food and drinks from Redwoods Grill & Bar, and opportunities for guests to learn more about Family Promise of Morris County’s programs and impact.

One of the evening’s most powerful moments came as Sarah*, a former Family Promise participant, shared her family’s journey from homelessness to stable housing. After losing her job and being evicted, she and her two children were unable to remain together. With few options remaining, she was preparing to leave New Jersey without her children when Family Promise responded to her request for help.

Family Promise provided temporary shelter for Sarah and her family and continued supporting her with groceries, transportation to job interviews and work, employment assistance, budgeting, and housing navigation. Earlier this year, she and her children moved into a home of their own.

“They didn’t just help me find housing. They helped me rebuild my life,” she told guests. “Most importantly, Family Promise helped keep my family together.”

Support from Fall Into Giving will help Family Promise expand hours at its Our Promise Drop-In and Resource Center in Morristown, allowing the center to open at 9:30 a.m. instead of 11:00 a.m. and connect people experiencing homelessness and housing instability with critical services earlier in the day.

Our Promise provides access to basic needs, individualized case management, benefits assistance, housing resources, referrals, and other supports designed to help individuals move toward greater stability.

For people with nowhere else to go, it can also mean respite from the weather, a hot cup of coffee, and a place where someone knows their name.

“Homelessness is not an identity. It’s a circumstance,” said Joann Björnson, CEO of Family Promise of Morris County. “And with the right support, circumstances can and do change.”

That belief is at the heart of Family Promise’s effort to open the center’s doors an hour and a half earlier each day.

“For someone with nowhere else to go, that hour and a half is a lifetime,” Björnson said. “What we provide at Our Promise is much more than services. We provide safety. We provide dignity, respect, eye contact, and human connections. Most importantly, it’s a reminder that every person matters.”

Sponsorship support for this year’s Fall Into Giving increased 83% over the previous year, reflecting the continued commitment of businesses, organizations, and individuals supporting Family Promise’s mission.

Family Promise of Morris County extends its appreciation to the sponsors, donors, volunteers, attendees, and community partners who helped make the evening possible.

Family Promise of Morris County has served the community since 1988, providing shelter, housing assistance, outreach, case management, and supportive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing instability throughout Morris County.

*Name has been changed to protect the individual’s privacy.