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Emily Bugay, director of Family Promise of Beaufort County, said that is one of many scenarios that leads to "situational homelessness" in which residents must live in their cars or with friends in small apartments.
Until now, homeless shelters did not exist in Beaufort County.
On Sunday, Family Promise will open the doors to a new day center for families in downtown Bluffton. The new center is located at 164 Bluffton Road, across from the Bluffton library and post office.
The local group -- made up of 30 churches and synagogues in a Together for Beaufort initiative -- is part of a national organization that provides emergency shelter to homeless families.
Together for Beaufort is working to meet social, economic, educational, health and environmental goals in the county by 2012.
During the center's renovation, several families called in need of help but were referred to other agencies, Bugay said. Currently, there is no waiting list for the new facility, but that could change by Sunday, Bugay said.
To participate, a family -- either single or married parents with children or women who are pregnant -- must undergo a background check and have no history of violence or drug or alcohol abuse. They also must be motivated to regain independence, Bugay said.
During the day, they can stay at the center where their children can play with toys, read books or watch television while their parents search for a job, go on interviews or receive training that can help them get back on their feet.
At night, the families visit a host congregation to eat dinner with local families and sleep. The program can accommodate up to four families or 14 people. Those numbers are based on the number of beds donated to the program. All beds, sheets and blankets travel with the families to a different host congregation each week. Bugay said the program is designed to help families over a 60-day time period.
"It's one of the few missions that's hands-on," said volunteer Sue Kroupa of Grace Coastal Church in Okatie. "You're not sending a check. You are interacting with people and get to share their faith."
Bugay said the cooperation among churches and synagogues is an aspect of the program that made her want to work for Family Promise -- a program she called "life-changing."
"These are people just like us (who) just went through a bad time and need a little help," Bugay said. "It happens to everybody. With rising housing costs and a struggling economy, it's a big challenge (now) for low-income families."
