HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-10-25 Public Comment - E. White - Family PromiseFrom:erinm786
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Public Comment - City Commissioners
Date:Monday, June 9, 2025 1:52:16 PM
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I am writing as a proponent, advocate, and supporter of Family Promise to seek your support
of their funding request from the City of Bozeman to sustain the operations of the familyemergency shelter.
Statistics have proven, the cost of living in Gallatin County is substantially higher thannational averages, with many of us witnessing the seemingly sky rocketing housing/rent costs
in relation to wages which have not increased in a parallel fashion - resulting in many familiesbeing forced to make a choice between food on the table or a roof over their head. This is not a
choice any family should have to make. No mother, no father, should have to make this choicefor their children. Instead, this is an opportunity for the community to come together in
partnership with the City of Bozeman - in support of helping those around us, build a betterfuture for our children and our families.
Family Promise served over 391 families last fiscal year - meeting families where they are andhelping provide a safe and stable foundation for them to rebuild, often catapulting them to
higher grounds long term – where 87% of the families they serve, do not experiencehomelessness again after graduating through the Family Promise programs. We are currently
experiencing the highest number of unhoused families in our county’s history – without astable emergency shelter for these families to temporarily call home, compounding issues arise
both within these families and our community – we strain public systems and moreimportantly, these children’s basic needs go unmet, causing potential educational setbacks and
developmental strain.
With the support from the City of Bozeman, we can make a positive impact in the lives of
those around us, our community and our neighborhood as a whole – to combat housinginsecurities for all.
I urge you to support the funding request of $120,000 for Family Promise. Thank you for yourconsideration and making a pivotal difference in the lives of families across Gallatin County.
Sincerely,
Erin White
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