MISSOULA – Missoula consistently has one of the highest homeless populations in the state, according to Montana Point in Time surveys.
Family Promise — a national nonprofit organization that houses homeless families — is working alongside Missoula Works to help parents find jobs and permanent housing.
Their newest business venture is a jewelry line designed by homeless mothers, called Mama’s Promise.
Executive director Paige Pavalone says it is a grassroots effort, made possible by monetary donations and scrap leather from Goertzen Adventure Equipment.
“We’re excited to see how we can help these moms get back on their feet, and let them start generating some income,” Pavalone said.
The mother who started Mama’s Promise wishes to remain anonymous for safety reasons.
She’s enrolled in Family Promise for the foreseeable future and wants a way to make money for her family while her husband is incarcerated on federal offenses.
“This program has helped me get back on my feet. And this, Mama’s Promise, actually made a big old step for me to help me achieve more than I actually thought I would be able to.”
She is a recovering drug addict, is currently on probation, and wants to be able to work next to her three-month-old son.
“There’s a lot of love and creativity that’s put into the jewelry that is special to the person that makes it.”
Forty-percent of proceeds from the earrings will go back to the moms that make them and they are now able to work directly from the Family Promise Day Center.
This woman’s mother helps support her other four children by selling beadwork in Ronan, and Mama’s Promise hopes to get some beads soon for future pieces.
-Katie Miller reporting for MTN News
