learn about our history
About Us
About
Fort Bend
Family Promise
Fort Bend Family Promise is part of a national network dedicated to addressing family homelessness through a holistic approach that supports both parents and children.
We provide short-term housing, case management, and long-term stability planning to help families regain independence and build brighter futures.
All housing families with Housing Insecurities in Fort Bend County that meet program criteria have access to the services of Fort Bend Family Promise.
All Family Guests have immediate needs met upon entering the program.
The public of Fort Bend County effectively refers families in crisis to Fort Bend Family Promise and supports the program.
All Family Guests are effectively evaluated and presented with an individualized program that helps prepare them for self-sufficiency.
All Family Guests effectively apply the skills and/or knowledge from the program to be successfully self-sufficient upon completion.
Ongoing relationships with organizations (public & private, profit & non-profit) in Fort Bend County allow Fort Bend Family Promise to achieve its mission in a cost effective manner.
The public in Fort Bend County is well-informed about the facts and realities of Housing Insecurities in our service area.
Outcome Statements
"It was a great concept in my mind -- to organize faith-based groups to help the homeless without large expenditures of public (tax) funds."
Duane McCullough
remember the past
Our History
Our Story: From Curious Ad to Life-Changing Mission
In 2003, FBFP founder Duane McCullough retired from Paine Webber/UBS and faced a new question: “What’s next?”
A random newspaper ad caught his eye, and in his words:
“To this day, I have no idea why I was looking in that section of the paper!”
That serendipitous ad connected him with VISTA—America’s version of the Domestic Peace Corps, born of John F. Kennedy’s anti-poverty vision. VISTA veterans have launched programs like Head Start and Upward Bound.
Duane’s mission: build Interfaith Hospitality Network chapters in South Texas. His passion soared:
“To organize faith-based groups to help the homeless without large expenditures of public funds—it was a great concept.”
Turning Vision into Action
From Baytown to Corpus Christi, Duane spread the word. His home base—Sugar Land—became the launchpad.
Pastors and lay volunteers answered the call. By late 2003, seven congregations had committed to host families and visited successful chapters in Conroe and northwest Houston.
Building the Foundation
No easy feat—fundraising lagged, awareness lagged. But a spark lit when New Hope Lutheran Church donated space, providing a home base. A donated used Ford Windstar van from the Brown family of New Hope solved transportation challenges.
With backing from East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry, FBFP launched officially on Valentine’s Day 2005, achieving 501(c)(3) status (.
From Modest Roots to a Thriving Mission
By 2006, FBFP became independent. Fueled by congregations, The George Foundation, golfers, and prayers, the mission blossomed beyond early hopes.
The Founding Congregations
Hosting Congregations (first seven):
New Hope Lutheran Church – Missouri City
Southminster Presbyterian Church – Missouri City
First Presbyterian Church – Sugar Land
First Presbyterian Church – Rosenberg
First United Methodist Church – Missouri City
First United Methodist Church – Sugar Land
Christ United Methodist Church – Sugar Land
Supporting Congregations (initial backers):
Colony Creek Community Church
Congregation Beth El
Thoreau United Universalist
St. Laurence Catholic Church
Today: A Force for Change in Fort Bend
Since 2005, FBFP has supported hundreds of families—offering shelter, meals, and hope. This legacy of compassion and faith continues to light the path forward.
Why This Matters
It all began with a whimsical newspaper glance and one man’s sense of purpose.
Fueled by faith, generosity, and community, it sparked a movement.
Since its founding, hundreds of families have reclaimed stability and dignity.
Let’s carry this story forward. Our history isn’t just a memory—it’s a foundation for future impact.
We Will Help You Every Step Of The Way
Many Family Promise affiliates use community volunteers to provide support services and mentoring.
We focus on a family-centered approach that keeps parents and children together while addressing the root causes of housing instability. Our collaborative network of volunteers, congregations, and community partners allows us to deliver meaningful results efficiently and effectively.
Are we right for you?
Need Help?
Is your family – or someone you know — facing a housing crisis due to a foreclosure, loss of lease or other causes? If so, Fort Bend Family Promise may be able to help. In trying to determine if our program is right for you, consider that FBFP is designed to help:
Adults with children under age 18.
Fort Bend County residents.
Families capable of participating in a family environment supervised by volunteers.
FBFP accepts families regardless of race or religion.
Guidelines for Admission:
Completion of criminal background screen
No chemical dependencies
No untreated mental health issues
No active domestic violence
Must pose no threat to other Family Promise families or volunteers
Must be willing to follow Family Promise Client Guidelines
Families may call for an assessment appointment during regular business hours. There is no fee for services. The Day Center is located at 4645 Cartwright Road in Missouri City and is open daily from 6 am to 7 pm. If you have questions, please contact us at 281-403-3293.
School District Links
Students in Fort Bend experiencing homelessness may also find assistance through their school district. Here are links to the appropriate page on Fort Bend School District websites.
Church Network
Fort Bend Family Promise brings together people of faith to provide families experiencing homelessness with help for today and hope for tomorrow. Through our network of congregations, families receive a warm meal, a safe place to sleep, and compassionate overnight support.
In this welcoming environment, families can maintain dignity and privacy while receiving encouragement from a caring community committed to helping them move toward stability.
Host Congregations
Host congregations provide overnight housing, meals, and hospitality to families on a rotating schedule, typically serving four times per year. Each host site accommodates three to four families at a time, offering a safe and welcoming space for rest and connection.
Fort Bend Family Promise provides beds, transportation, and access to showers and laundry facilities at the Family Day Center. Families return to the Day Center each morning so children can attend school and parents can work or meet with case managers to secure employment and permanent housing. Families typically remain in the program for about 35 days as they work toward stable housing.
To ensure a safe environment for everyone, all guest families complete a screening process before entering the program.
Get Involved
Support Congregations
Contact us
Current Host Congregations
- All Saints Episcopal – Stafford
- Body of Faith Church – Stafford
- Christ Church – Sugar Land
- First Presbyterian Sugar Land – Sugar Land
- First United Methodist Church – Missouri City
- Friendship Community Bible Church – Sugar Land
- New Hope Lutheran Church – Missouri City
- Parkway United Methodist Church – Sugar Land
- Southminster Presbyterian – Missouri City
- St. Martin’s Lutheran Church – Sugar Land
- Sugar Creek Baptist Church
- The Harvest United Methodist Church
Current Supporting Congregations
Our Donors
Fort Bend Family Promise is funded through the generosity of individual donors, church congregations, foundations and local businesses. We are a part of the National Family Promise Organization.
We would like to extend special thanks to the following for their financial support:
Board of Trustees
Members of our Board of Trustees are selected from our local community and serve staggered terms of three years. Our Board provides a broad range of expertise that has been critical to our organization’s success, but each brings a personal commitment to helping homeless families.
Jim Uschkrat
Jim Uschkrat
Kirby Bledsoe
Kirby Bledsoe
Learn All About Our Staff & Board
Meet Our Staff
Financials
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Board and Executive Director of Fort Bend Family Promise holds our responsibility to our donors, supporters, volunteers, churches, guests and community as critical to our mission.
It is our goal to provide transparency in our governance and operations, while respecting the privacy of our guests and of those donors and volunteers who request it.
