I am the Executive Director and Founder of Family Promise of Hall County (FPHC). A native of Dalton, GA, my husband Ward, our three children, and I have called Gainesville, GA home for over 20 years.

I graduated from Auburn University, where I majored in landscape architecture. I was drawn to the mission of Family Promise when I returned to Dalton with my family for Thanksgiving one year, and we served dinner to several families experiencing homelessness as part of the Family Promise Affiliate there. Seeing Family Promise in action that Thanksgiving inspired me to return to Gainesville and create an Affiliate in Hall County.

I, along with the Board of Directors, completed a successful capital campaign in 2019 to purchase The Homestead, a centralized campus providing families experiencing homelessness with both housing and needed wrap-around services. I am proud to say the number of programs offered by FPHC has expanded to eight, many of which are open to clients of area nonprofits. This collaborative effort to solve problems without duplication is a hallmark of FPHC’s work.

The best part of my job is seeing families turn around their lives and regain their independence when the rest of the world says it is impossible.

A native of Gainesville, GA, I attended Oxford College and Emory University and graduated with a degree in sociology. I earned my Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and have been licensed in the state of Georgia as a clinical social worker for over 20 years.

Professionally and as a volunteer, my passion is understanding social circumstances and how individuals adapt within them. My career experience includes working as a full time medical social worker/case manager in a neuro-rehabilitation unit in Rome, GA and as a certified case manager/social worker for oncology and HIV/Women Services at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, TN. Other experiences include substitute teaching and forensic interviewing and a brief stint as an author.

Personally, I enjoy teaching confirmation classes to middle school students, but my passion is my family. My husband Sean Sumner and I are the parents of three awesome sons.

Joining the staff of Family Promise in 2013, I have appreciated the ability to work with families and encourage them through challenges. I am proud to contribute to our community’s tradition of caring for our own.

I moved from Columbia, SC three years ago and currently reside in Pendergrass, GA. I’m married with three children who are 16, 10, and 5 years old. In past years I have worked as a Service Coordinator for individuals with disabilities and as a Social Worker for the Department of Social Services in the child protective services foster care unit.
When first moving to Georgia, I was a stay-at-home mom and took on the hobby of making and designing custom cakes, treats, and other delicacies. I am currently a student at Capella University working on my second master’s degree in social work, and I’m a proud woman of the Illustrious organization Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. I’m excited about my new journey with Family Promise of Hall County!

After growing up in Princeton, NJ, I made my way south to Hall County, which has been my home for 30 years. While raising my two amazing kids, Amanda and Robert, I worked as a preschool director, kindergarten parapro, and as a church Administrative Assistant for 12 years. I'm married to Jim, and we share our home with a very spoiled rescue pup named Zeke.

I've been on staff at Family Promise of Hall County since 2017, and I believe that as a community we can locally address a national crisis by helping homeless families build new lives here in Hall County.

I was born and raised in Buford, GA, which is where I call home. I am currently a senior at the University of North Georgia and will be graduating in December of 2022 with a Bachelors degree in Human Services Delivery and Administration.

Last year, I completed an internship at Family Promise and fell in love with the purpose of the organization and what they do for the community. I am excited to be apart of the Family Promise team!

My name is Valerie DeLong and I am greatly blessed to be the new director at Little Steps Community Daycare at Family Promise of Hall County. I have been a resident of Hall county, mainly the Flowery Branch area since I was 9 years old. I have one grown daughter who is my best friend and my world.

My background in Early Childhood Education began with teaching 3 and 4 year olds. While going to school to obtain my degree in early childhood, teaching Georgia Pre-K, Head Start and other programs. In 2014 I took on my first role as a Daycare director and have loved and learned so much ever since.

My passions in life are spending time with my family, friends, outside in nature and traveling especially to Disney World. I am here because of God's timing and his perfect plan. I am so blessed to help and watch this program grow.