Families are the fastest rising demographic of the homeless sector in the United States. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH), families now account for approximately 41 percent of the nation's homeless population.

Gwinnett is no exception. In 2010, the magistrate court processed 25,374 eviction cases, or dispossessory affidavits, which is a 10.8 percent increase from 2009 in the county. "Families are the hidden homeless," said Brent Bohanan, Executive Director of Family Promise of Gwinnett, Inc. "You're not going to see them under a bridge or living in a tent behind some building. They're going to be in a hotel, with relatives, or living in their car."

The economic downturn has had the biggest impact on family homelessness in Gwinnett, according to Bohanan. "We're seeing probably a 25 to 40 percent increase in referrals," Bohanan said. Family Promise of Gwinnett is a nonprofit organization that focuses on helping Gwinnett families who have lost their homes. The organization partners with Gwinnett churches by housing families during a 90-day support and training program.

In Snellville, six churches have opened their doors to house homeless families, in partnership with Family Promise. Cannon United Methodist Church (UMC) has been a partner of Family Promise of Gwinnett since it was established in 2005. Associate pastor Amy Morgan; Dawson Nixon, minister of administration; and member Susan Bruno form part of the team that manages Cannon UMC's partnership.

"I remember about three years ago," said Bruno, "a notice went out about missions. 'Pick your mission.' That stuck with me, to do something for other people through your church."

Churches like Cannon UMC house families for one week at a time, three times per year, and the ministry relies on volunteers to set up beds, prepare meals, and stay at the church throughout the week.

Host churches must have adequate facilities to accommodate four families, including a kitchen, private rooms and separate bathrooms. To be considered for the program, a family must be a resident of Gwinnett County, be homeless and have a child under the age of 18. Single-parent families comprise 94 percent of those served by Family Promise of Gwinnett, and most are single mothers with small children.