Michigan Business Beat | Lily Fossel - Family Frolic at the John Ball Zoo Returns

Jeffrey Mosher speaks with Lily Fossel, Community Development Manager for Family Promise of Grand Rapids Outlet, on the Michigan Business Beat. Her main focus for this interview is looking ahead to the 4th Annual Family Frolic – Sunday, July 24th, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. • Date: July 24, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. • Location: John Ball Zoo • Tickets: Tickets are $15 for adults and children under 18 get in free thanks to a generous donation from Eastbrook Homes • Family Promise, along with Presenting Sponsor, Eastbrook Homes, will welcome over 500 families to the fun-filled outing featuring giveaways, food trucks, an animal scavenger hunt, music, and more • Attendees will be able to “choose their own adventure” and learn about family homelessness in an age-appropriate way. • The goal is to raise $20,000 to fight homelessness in our community. • Family homelessness is a community issue that requires a community response, and together we can make a significant impact. • John Ball Zoo's heart for sheltering animals and making sure they have a place to call home is in line with Family Promise providing emergency shelter to families with children. The Stats: • The average age of children in shelter is 6-years-old and younger • A single parent would need to work 70+ hours a week to afford a 2-bedroom rental in Kent County. • In 2019 1 in 6 Black children experienced homelessness in Kent County compared to 1 in 135 white children. • Mane of the families who enter shelter have incomes, thye just can’t make ends meet. About Family Promise: Family Promise partners with families who are currently homeless or are at risk of experiencing homelessness by helping them create a stable lifestyle for their children. Family Promise has helped over 6,000 children and 4,000 families build a strong foundation for their family’s future by providing emergency services, housing and homeownership opportunities, and stabilization services to families with kids experiencing homelessness. With the help of their Foundation program, Interfaith Hos