After months of planning, the East Hamilton Ministerial Association has decided its next step in addressing homelessness in Chattanooga: a strategic partnership with Family Promise.
Family Promise utilizes a network of churches that house homeless families one week at a time while they get help, train and eventually move into their own home.
EHMA president and Ooltewah United Methodist Church pastor Eric Light noted that many churches represented by EHMA are already working with Family Promise, either hosting families or offering support with volunteers, ministry and funding.
"If you're a support church, like we've been, maybe you can consider being a host church," he told the fellow area pastors gathered at the group's most recent meeting. "Our church will transition into hosting this fall."
The move was announced during EHMA's last meeting before breaking for the summer so the member churches could discuss and determine their involvement moving forward, said Light.
"We hope that this will give you enough time to go back to your congregations, talk to them about it and decide how you can contribute," he told the group.
EHMA met in March with community organizations to discuss its possible role in addressing an increase in the homeless population of Chattanooga. Initially, EHMA struggled with the idea of how to help the homeless, after identifying who members could help.
"We see this as a phase 1. This will not solve the entire problem, but it's a start," Light said at the most recent meeting. "We feel this will meet a real immediate need and avoid some controversy."
When EHMA resumes regularly scheduled meetings in August, Family Promise will visit to discuss further involvement with interested parties.
"We hope to get this settled and determined so we can help out before the cold season hits," Light said.