NATICK, MA – The homeless services nonprofit Natick Family Promise MetroWest (FPM) recently hosted their second virtual concert, which replaced the typical fall fundraiser due to the pandemic. This year’s event will benefit the conversion of the FPM day shelter in Natick to permanent accommodation.

Here is more from an FPM press release:

Natick-based Family Promise MetroWest (FPM) held their second annual Keeping the Promise virtual concert on December 4.

Last year, COVID-19 restrictions forced Family Promise MetroWest to redesign their annual fall fundraiser, which was historically held at a hotel with hundreds of guests. Carole Brodrick, Director of Development at FPM, had to creatively develop an alternative event that would not only align with COVID mandates, but also provide the necessary funds to deal with the unprecedented growth in the number of families requiring services. by FPM. The result was a free virtual concert that not only allowed over 400 historic guests to attend, but was accessible to everyone, from the comfort of their own homes. The success of the Keeping the Promise 2020 concert led to this year’s second virtual concert, which once again was greeted with overwhelming support and commitment.

“Imagine facing eviction or homelessness during the worst housing crisis in 40 years. People need a place to stay, a place to live and a place to call home,” he said said event host Lauren Beckham Falcone, WROR Morning Co-Host, as she kicked off the two-hour concert of inspiring family stories and musical performances from artists from across the country.

As the name of the concert suggests, the mission and promise of Family Promise MetroWest is to keep families facing homelessness together as they address a range of housing and stabilization needs, including safe shelter. , transitional support, homelessness prevention, refuge diversion, education and employment. Family Promise MetroWest uniquely provides long-term family guidance across all programs to set and work toward goals to achieve stability.

This year’s Keeping the Promise concert also provided a platform for alumni families to share how FPM’s support has made a crucial difference in their lives. Sarah, a young woman whose family entered a shelter when she was just 14, shared her poignant animated film titled “My Story at Family Promise”. Now that she has obtained her MA in Media and Film at a local university, she described the experience when her family arrived at FPM and how, thanks to the support and encouragement of the organization, her family has stabilized. and has now blossomed.

“One thing that kept me going was seeing how much Family Promise goes out of its way to take care of families… by giving us beds to sleep in, food and making sure we go in. the right way.”

Susan Crossley, Executive Director of FPM, explained how FPM’s work with families is supported by an extensive network of community partners, including businesses, congregations, organizations, volunteers, as well as FPM’s board and staff. , who are committed to the mission of the organization. She thanked everyone who made the event possible including TJX, Home Market Foods, Janson Communications, TruckCourier, Tracy Boehme Realty Group, Needham Bank, RW Holmes Commercial Real Estate, Connolly Auto Group, The Village Bank, MutualOne Bank, Rubicon Builders, Middlesex Bank, Mobilis, John Everett and Sons, The Chandler Group, Bose Corporation, Eastern Bank, Reliant Medical Group, Smith, Sullivan & Brown, PC, Avidia Bank, Wegmans and Asset Strategy.

During the program, Steve Beling and Robert Brack received the annual FPM awards. Beling received the Cindy Lombardo Volunteer Award, which is based on nominations from the FPM families, and Brack, a well-known local philanthropist who died in September, was posthumously honored with the Family Promise Metrowest Legacy Award for his long-standing dedication and generosity to the organization.

At the end of the first half of the program, musicians from hip hop, jazz, country and soul including Ellis Paul, Ben Cesare, Alli Haber, Zoe Behrakis, Daniel Miller, Kemp Harris, Phil Stacey, Rhett Price, Chris Trapper, Never Say Never Band, Dave Keller, The Saxyderms, Crimson Calamity, Kings Return, Wayland Youth Choir’s Temple Shir Tikva and LadyCap kept viewers entertained.

These artists not only shared their talent, but also why they participated in this fundraising event. As Rhett Price, hip hop violinist and YouTube sensation, said, “I was homeless playing the streets of Boston myself, so this is a cause close to my heart. please give as much as you can and then give a little more. This is really important and it makes a big difference! “

The concert recording is now available at www.tinyurl.com/KeepingThePromise2021. Proceeds from donations, sponsorships, advertising, raffle and the evening’s online auction will fund the conversion of the FPM day center into a permanent accommodation site for resident families. To learn more about Family Promise MetroWest, its programs and the families it serves, please visit familypromisemetrowest.org.