Our Mission
Family Promise Athens prevents and ends homelessness for families with children and helps them achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response.
Our Vision
To create a community where every family has access to safe and stable housing
Our Values
Integrity: We take our work seriously, when we say we are going to do something, we do it.
Growth: Professionally and organizationally, we have an eye toward meaningful growth.
Generosity: Everyone has something to give. Whether it’s time, talents, or treasures we will find a way to plug you in.
Teamwork: Our community is better when we all work together – partners, families, volunteers, staff – we commit to working as a team through collaboration.
Dignity: Every person has inherent value and deserves to be safe, happy, and healthy.
Hope: We choose to see the good in the world and believe in a brighter tomorrow.
Our History
Founded in 2004, community members from 25 congregations came together to offer their facilities and volunteers to shelter families with children experiencing homelessness. Known as the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Athens, the organization provided rotational shelter for three families at a time through a network of over 30 congregations. As an affiliate of a larger network of families across the country, IHNA changed its name to Family Promise Athens in 2019 to align with the national name change. FPA has continued the shelter program since the founding, but has also expanded services to meet the different needs of families in the Athens community. Since 2020, our organization has expanded our programming to help families that are at-risk of eviction to homeless to stably housed. We believe that this more comprehensive approach allows for us to better serve the variety of needs that exist in our community.
Staff
Madison Sanders
executive Director
Madison joined Family Promise as the Service Director in 2021, and has been serving as the Executive Director since 2022. In her role, she leads the strategic direction of the organization, including fund development to meet community needs. She has always been passionate about creating opportunities for families to thrive and loves using her time and talents to support families in Athens.
Clyde Whitworth
Director of Operations
Clyde joined Family Promise of Athens in December of 2021 and has held a variety of roles within the organization since that time. As Director of Operations, he supports the organization in managing the administration and financial operations, as well as coordination of volunteer support.
Brandy Howard
Program Director
Brandy joined Family Promise in September of 2025 as the Program Director. Before transitioning to Georgia, Brandy spent 11 years at Doorways in Virginia providing leadership and program oversight to several residential and housing programs serving the homeless and survivors of domestic violence. At Family Promise, she oversees the organization’s programs, and ensures that we are providing quality services to meet the needs of families. Brandy is committed to supporting young people and families to reach their full potential.
Tenaja English
Housing Manager
Tenaja joined Family Promise of Athens as a Case Manager in 2022. She has managed the organization’s transitions through new shelter models and program expansion. Tenaja works directly with families in the shelter and transitional housing programs to provide guidance as they work toward their self identified goals and future stable housing. She is a passionate advocate for creating systems that provide opportunities for families to thrive.
Crystal Tarber
Prevention coordinator
Crystal joined Family Promise of Athens in April of 2025 as the Prevention Coordinator, and she has a deep passion for supporting families. She previously served as a Family Support Coordinator at a non-profit organization in Atlanta, where she connected families with essential resources and advocacy. Her work is rooted in the belief that every family deserves to feel empowered, informed, and cared for—whether they’re welcoming a new baby, navigating life transitions, or seeking stability.
Board of Directors
Harry Shuford (Treasurer & Bookkeeper)
Retired Banker
Tammy Gilland (Chair)
Director of Community Relations
Piedmont Athens Regional
Ben Butler
Financial Planner
Highland Trust Partners
Kristina McCalla
Executive Director
Rooted Interiors
Weyman Johnson (Secretary)
Retired Attorney
Ally Simmons
Assistant Project Director - IOTIS
Realtor - Greater Athens Properties
Callie Waller
Realtor
CJ&L Real Estate
Jeremy Daniel
Assistant to the Director For Strategic Initiatives
Carl Vinson Institute for Government
Emily Glass (Vice Chair)
Minister
First Baptist Church, Athens
Angela Pope
Lead Social Worker
Clarke County School District
Jim Cronon
Lawyer
Law Office of James B. Cronon, LLC