Ronald Kamara

Starting a new life in a new country can bring both possibility and uncertainty. When Ronald and his family first arrived in the United States they did not know what to expect, but prayed they would meet kind and caring people. “By God’s grace, we found Family Promise.”

In a time of uncertainty, they not only found assistance but a caring community that encouraged them to keep looking toward the future. What made the difference for Ronald was not just the assistance his family received.

“It was the way we were welcomed with love, generosity, empathy, dignity, and respect.”

Before coming to the United States, Ronald built a career as a global health and community development practitioner, with more than 15 years of leadership experience managing large donor-funded health projects in Uganda. Today, Ronald’s hope is to build a stable, sustainable future, see his children thrive, support his wife’s professional aspirations, rebuild his career, and remain rooted in the community.

For Ronald, hope also means looking beyond his own family. He dreams of one day giving back to Family Promise, helping others experience the same kindness his family received. It’s a powerful expression of what Hope in Action means to him: compassion that becomes meaningful support—people who have received hope and become a source of hope for others.

Jerica Richard

When Jerica became unhoused following the loss of a family member, she found herself navigating an uncertain future while caring for her infant son. Because her income level put her just above the eligibility limits for assistance, repeated failed attempts to find support was testing her faith. That’s when she reached out to FPM with, in her words, “low expectations but high prayer.”

With her time in the shelter running out and her son still just five months old, Jerica received a call that brought enormous relief: a home was available for them. Family Promise helped them find a home and provided rental assistance; but it was so much more. It was finding people who were just as determined as she was to help her take the next step forward.

For Jerica, Hope in Action means never giving up hope or faith, and pairing that hope with action.

“Things just don’t fall into one’s lap over hope. What are you doing to make that hope stronger to achieve the end result you are looking for?”

It’s a philosophy that reflects who she is. A natural advocate with a strong sense of purpose, Jerica has a gift for connecting with people and making space for their voices to be heard. She even runs a companionship business that offers people a place to share what may be difficult to talk about elsewhere.

Jerica’s story is a reminder that hope isn’t simply about believing things can get better. It’s about continuing to reach out, taking the next step, and finding the support and determination to keep moving forward.

Nicole Charles White

“I never saw anything for what it truly was; I saw its potential.” For Nicole, that instinct to see what something could become is at the heart of her passion for cosmetology and her vision for the future.

A licensed cosmetologist in her home country, Nicole is working toward meeting U.S. licensing requirements by completing a 1,000-hour cosmetology program. But she’s doing much more than putting in the hours. A talented artist with a deep knowledge of her craft, she has embraced opportunities to expand her skills, including styling hair for a Boston modeling event. She is also a valued mentor to fellow students and loves sharing her knowledge and helping others develop their own talents.

Nicole’s love of hair and makeup began early. As she explained in her scholarship application,

“Hair and makeup were my happy place.”

Her curiosity and commitment to learning have kept her growing in her field, and she has a clear vision for where that journey might lead: opening her own business, Nikki’s Beauty Bar, and providing for her family.

For Nicole, Hope in Action is reflected in the way she is turning that vision into reality, building on the skills she already has, learning new techniques, embracing opportunities, and taking purposeful steps toward her goals. Her journey is a reminder that hope isn’t just imagining what might be possible. It’s recognizing your potential and putting in the work to bring it to life.