Framingham Promise MetroWest Held 2nd Annual Virtual Concert

In full transparency, the press release and photos were submitted to SOURCE media for publication

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NATICK – Natick-based nonprofit Family Promise Metrowest (held its 2nd 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 in a hotel venue with hundreds of guests. Carole Brodrick, Family Promise Metrowest’s Director of Development, had to creatively develop an alternate event that would not only align with the COVID mandates but would also bring in the funds needed to address the unprecedented growth in the number of families requiring Family Promise Metrowest’s services.

The result was a free virtual concert that not only allowed the historic 400+ guests to attend, but was accessible to all, right from the comfort of their homes. The success of the 2020 Keeping the Promise concert led to this year’s 2nd annual virtual concert, which once again was met with overwhelming support and engagement.

“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,” said event emcee Lauren Beckham Falcone, WROR morning co-host, as she launched the two-hour concert of inspirational family stories and musical performances by artists from around the country.

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As the concert’s name suggests, Family Promise Metrowest’s mission and promise is to keep families facing homelessness together as they address a spectrum of housing and stabilization needs, including safe shelter, transitional support, homelessness prevention, shelter diversion, education, and employment. Family Promise Metrowest uniquely provides long-term family coaching in 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 support from FPM made a critical difference in their lives. Sarah, a young woman whose family entered shelter when she was only 14, shared her poignant animated film entitled “My Story at Family Promise.”

Now earning her master’s degree in Media and Film at a local university, she described the experience when her family came to FPM and how through the organization’s support and encouragement her family stabilized and is now thriving. “One thing that kept me going was seeing how much Family Promise strives to take care of families…giving us beds to sleep, food, and making sure we were being led in the right direction.”

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Susan Crossley, FPM’s Executive Director, talked about how FPM’s work with families is supported by a broad network of community partners, including businesses, congregations, organizations, volunteers, and the FPM board and staff, who are committed to the organization’s mission.

She thanked all of those that made the event possible, including TJX, Home Market Foods, Janson Communications, TruckCourier, Tracy Boehme Realty Group, Needham Bank, R.W. 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 were honored with Family Promise Metrowest’s annual awards.

Beling was granted The Cindy Lombardo Volunteer Award, which is based on nominations by Family Promise Metrowest families, and Brack, a well-known local philanthropist who passed away in September, was honored posthumously with The Family Promise Metrowest Legacy Award for his long-standing dedication and generosity to the organization.

As the first half of the program closed, hip hop, jazz, country, and soul musicians 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, Temple Shir Tikva of Wayland Youth Choir, and LadyCap entertained viewers.

These artists not only shared their talent, but also why they participated in this fundraising event.

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As hip hop violinist and YouTube sensation Rhett Price told viewers, “I was homeless once myself playing on the streets of Boston, so this is a cause near and dear to my heart. Please give as much as you can and then give a little more. It’s really important and makes a big difference!”
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he concert recording is now available at www.tinyurl.com/KeepingThePromise2021.

The proceeds from the evening’s donations, sponsorships, ads, raffle, and online auction will provide funding for the conversion of FPM’s Day Center into a permanent shelter site for resident families.

To learn more about Family Promise Metrowest, its programs, and the families it serves, please visit familypromisemetrowest.org.

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