Promise Of Hope
For over a decade, Family Promise of Hendricks County (FPHC) has provided services aimed at assisting homeless families and preventing homelessness across the county.
The program has changed and evolved over the years; however, some things have remained the same. They offer wraparound services Jennifer Crago, chief executive officer at FPHC, calls a one-stop shop.
At the Plainfield Resource Center, families can come in and make a meal, get some rest in one of the respite rooms, do their laundry, take showers, access the food pantry and sit down at a computer to apply for jobs.
They can also receive assistance in training, education, budgeting, transportation needs and more through the Stability Builders Network.
“When a family first contacts us, they meet with an advocate and we look at the barriers: financial, employment, education, housing, etc.,” Crago says. “Our goal is to help families get from crisis to stability, and we’re focused heavily on prevention versus after the fact. So, we can help with late fees, rent, medical bills, transportation, child care and barriers like that to prevent a family from becoming homeless in the first place.”
In 2025, through FPHC, homelessness ended for 67 families and was prevented for 725 families in Hendricks County. More than 3,000 households received stability services through the nonprofit.
“Realistically, based on our monthly budget and what we’ve received through grant funds and our fundraising efforts, that’s how much we are able to help, and the issue becomes, just like all nonprofits, the need is so great,” Crago says. “One of the unique things about Family Promise is all of the funds stay here in Hendricks County. It’s really the community helping its own neighbors.”
Crisis calls average around $300 per month, and they currently maintain their “Almost Home” family shelter for up to six families at a time and six transition homes in Plainfield.
Crago says the financial picture for the nonprofit has changed drastically in the past several years. Grant support and federal funding have changed, child care vouchers have been cut until at least 2027, and they’re constantly looking for ways to garner local support for the many services offered.
That’s where the Rise500 campaign comes in.
“It costs at least $500 per day for Family Promise to operate its services and resources, so we’re asking community members and businesses to sponsor an entire day of operations and programs,” Crago says. “We value our community members and our partnerships, and we respect and appreciate the help. Whether it’s $5 or $500, we appreciate any level of support and partnership.”
Those who donate will receive recognition on the organization’s website and weekly newsletter during their day of sponsorship.
“Hendricks County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Indiana — a place where businesses thrive, families put down roots and community pride runs deep. But behind that success, our neighbors are struggling in ways most of us never see. Homelessness is hidden — families living in cars, cramped hotels and emergency shelters — but it’s very real,” Jeff Lee, president of the board of directors for FPHC, says. “Investing in FPHC restores stability to the family of someone who works beside you, shops in your store and sends their kids to the same school as yours.”
Corporations and civic organizations will receive letters in the mail, and individuals can visit the website to donate too.
Crago says the need is only growing as the economy has shifted and more families are finding the cost of living more and more difficult as the years go by.
“The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,700. Many of them are around $2,000 or $2,200 per month. The average job is $21 per hour, and child care is an average of $300 per week. Families can’t survive off of these numbers,” Crago says. “They have to choose between paying rent or making the car payment, and too many families are just trying to figure out how to survive.”
Slowly but surely, FPHC continues to combat some of the issues within the county with affordable housing and living-wage jobs.
They’ve partnered with other organizations to create an affordable housing complex, Winding Way, in Plainfield — set to open in the summer of 2026. Other potential sites are in the works but have yet to break ground.
Most importantly, they’re making a difference in lives every day. Crago says at FPHC, the work is fulfilling but heavy as well.
“You wear a lot of the burdens of the clients you meet. It can be difficult to carry it every day and emotionally taxing. There are so many burdens people in our own community are facing that we know nothing about, and it’s heartbreaking,” Crago says. “But when you help someone that has nobody else in their life; these clients don’t want to come to us, but there’s no other choice, and we’re walking beside them to support them. It feels like we’re doing the Lord’s work. We’re being kind to others in our community, and it’s important.”
Visit familypromisehendrickscounty.org to learn more about the organization and how each individual and business can help.
