RANDOLPH — At a recent dinner presentation “Recognizing Volunteers and Community Service” Family Promise of Morris County honored Michele Caruso.
Each year Family Promise of Morris County and Greenberg Traurig present the “Community Impact Award” to honor organizations and individuals that are making a tangible impact in our community.
The impact can be the result of any number of activities but is focused on people who make their contribution to the community a priority.
Family Promise of Morris County (FPMC) mission is to end the crisis of homelessness facing families in Morris County. Their honoree, Michele Caruso, embodies the spirit of community impact, giving of her time, talent and treasure to assist FPMC and her community to help those less fortunate on the path to self-sufficiency.
When Michele relocated to Morris County two years ago, she knew that she wanted to continue her work with at-risk families. When she discovered Family Promise of Morris County and learned of its success with homelessness, she knew that she had found her volunteer home.
With her social work background, it was easy for her to bond with the current guests and learn about their specific needs and future goals. She loves playing “Santa” each week, as she can provide the guests with specific shoe and clothing requests that have been donated or purchased. No matter what state she is residing in at the time, from California to Florida, Michele takes her service to the community very seriously; she is no stranger to non-profit organizations. Michele has proudly served on boards, created programs, and single-handedly raised more than $25,000 in one year.
One of Michele’s proudest achievements to date is the creation of the Making Moves Matter program. It was created to lessen the financial burden on our families and help new residents experience self-sufficiency.
On the day Family Promise guests move into a new residence – one they have been waiting for and working toward, the Making Moves Matter team of volunteers arrives with all the necessary household items. They clean, hang shower curtains, make beds, organize the kitchen, stock the fridge and cupboards, and spread their love throughout the new living space.
To date, Michele and her Making Moves Matter teams of volunteers have worked in conjunction with the Family Promise staff to secure and set up more than 22 homes. Successful community impact is rooted in our ability to respond to needs that are unmet or underserved through the efforts of our volunteers. Michele helps us exceed in this area through her time and her tireless commitment to helping others.
One of the unique attributes of all Family Promise volunteers is they achieve community impact through collaboration and Michele excels at this. Her efforts to collaborate with the congregation community for donations and specific services have created a wealth of positive support and friendships for which she is so grateful.
Michele believes that we are made kind by being kind and she feels blessed to be part of the Family Promise community.
