OUR MISSION
Our mission is to help families seeking stable housing in the South Bay achieve sustainable independence through a community-based approach.
We envision a community where every family has a home, a livelihood, and the chance to build a better future.
We believe that no child should have to sleep in a car, in a park, or under a bridge, and that every family deserves a chance to be whole and have a roof over their head again.
Origin Story
First Christian Church of Torrance holds its first informational meeting in May. Chery Carew and Julie Jacks form a partnership and dedicate the next four years to recruiting churches, securing 501(c)(3) status, raising support, establishing the Day Center, and hiring staff.
2011: Foundation
In March 2020, the public health crisis halted our shelter program collaboration with IHN. To protect our volunteers and the families we serve, we needed to rethink our interfaith partnership. Despite the disruption, we remained committed to our mission. Our Board of Directors and staff began to think of ways we could redevelop our program to keep the core of our collaboration intact.
2020: Resilience & Strength Amidst Covid-19 Pandemic
Virtual Summer Camp 2020 marked the beginning of our Children and Youth Program. Following the camp, we transformed our Children’s classroom into a Distance Learning Classroom. This provided a supportive environment for children in our shelter program to attend school virtually, with FP staff available to assist with homework and technical issues.
2015: Community Support
2015: The Mayor of Torrance and Nick Executive Director at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Chery Carew and Julie Jacks (Founders)
Over twenty congregations in the South Bay have joined the Intercontinental and Interfaith Hospitality Network Program (IHN), partnering with Family Promise of the South Bay. These congregations participated in host rotations, offering overnight accommodations, compassionate care, and meals to families in need, also known as the rotation model.
2021: Fostering Care & Support
FP staff recognized the need for greater mental, emotional, and social support for children in our shelter program and graduates. Prioritizing trauma-informed care, the Children’s room was transformed in Fall 2021 to reflect this approach, in preparation for our pilot Mentorship program.
Summer Camp
From June to August 2021, Family Promise of the South Bay held its first in-person, free 6-week Summer Camp at First Christian Church Torrance. Serving children from our shelter programs and local school district referrals, the camp includes volunteer-led specialty classes and weekly field trips, providing a fun and enriching experience for the children while supporting working parents.
In fall 2023, The Just Neighbors program launched with a vision to sustain our compassionate community network while empowering and supporting families. This adopt-a-family program allows IHN communities to provide meaningful support and guidance to the families in our program.
2022: Grant for Mental Health Services
2023: Mental Health Support for Families
In January 2023, our Associate Marriage and Family Therapist began offering mental health services to parents and guardians in our programs. Since then, the parents in our program have benefited from our free, on-site, one-on-one mental health services. Additionally, our Associate Marriage and Family Therapist has conducted Group Mental Health Classes, promoting self-awareness of mental and emotional health among the children in our program.
In fall 2022, Providence Little Company of Mary in Torrance awarded Family Promise of the South Bay a $200,000 grant to provide mental health services for our families.
2024: New Leadership, Bright Horizons
Family Promise of the South Bay welcomes Jocelyn De La Rosa as Executive Director
Family Promise of the South Bay welcomes Jocelyn De La Rosa as Executive Director. Jocelyn is a seasoned professional with over a decade of dedicated service in the nonprofit sector, specializing in leading organizations to become pioneers in homelessness services. Her academic background includes a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and a Master's degree in Business Leadership and Management.
“Family Promise's commitment to holistic support aligns with my belief in the power of comprehensive solutions to address homelessness. I am eager to leverage my decade-long experience in the nonprofit sector, particularly in leading organizations towards becoming beacons of hope in homelessness services. Together with the team at Family Promise, I am excited to implement innovative strategies, advocate tirelessly, and work collaboratively with the community to make meaningful and lasting changes in the lives of those experiencing homelessness. With determination and compassion, I am confident that we can create a future where every individual and family has the opportunity to thrive and flourish.”
- Jocelyn De La Rosa, Executive Director
