Bergen's Family Promise Secures $150K Grant To Aid Renters

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Family Promise of Bergen County has been named one of 32 recipients of the 15th Annual Housing For Everyone grant program from the TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank.

This grant — worth $150,000 — will help Family Promise provide shelter, rental assistance and support to working families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, the organization said.

"Family Promise of Bergen County has developed an initiative to help COVID-19 impacted families and individuals avoid eviction and remain in safe, affordable housing," said Andy Bregenzer, metro New York regional president of TD Bank.

"Being awarded the 15th Annual Housing For Everyone grant is an acknowledgement of Family Promise's dedication to ensuring an inclusive recovery from the pandemic."

The COVID-19 pandemic had an "immense and disproportionate impact on those most vulnerable," the company said in a news release. This includes renters.

"Family Promise is committed to empowering homeless working families to become self-sufficient, through the pandemic and beyond," said Kate Duggan, executive director of Family Promise of Bergen County.

"Family Promise has a unique approach, making a longer-term commitment and providing families with wrap-around support in job training, financial education, as well as transportation and childcare so parents can work. We equip homeless working parents with the skills they need and empower them to earn a living wage and save more of what they earn. Our goal is to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty for each family, and future generations, permanently. We are grateful for the TD Charitable Foundation’s investment in our mission and the families we serve."

In total, TD Charitable Foundation awarded $4.9 million for the 2020 Housing For Everyone program, as part of the more than $20 million that TD has allocated to help strengthen community resilience and COVID-19 recovery through the TD Community Resilience Initiative, a news release said.

Keep up to date with what's happening in your community by subscribing to your local Patch newsletter here.