Every fall, Rochester celebrates homecoming. Ours looks a little different.
The Homecoming is an intimate evening inside Promise House — Family Promise Rochester's working family shelter — set for celebration and opened for one night to welcome our community inside.
Guests move through seven beautifully designed stations, each one telling part of the story of what it means to find safety, stability, and home. There will be exceptional food, signature cocktails, a wine pull, and a collective program moment under the stars — the kind of evening Rochester hasn't seen before.
One hundred guests. One night. One building that holds more hope than most people know.
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The Homecoming isn't a sit-down dinner. It's a guided evening through the rooms of Promise House — the actual home where families live while working toward stability.
You'll move through seven beautifully designed stations in a progressive dinner format, each one representing a different part of the journey from crisis to home. At each station, a brief introduction sets the scene — then you eat, drink, and take it in at your own pace.
Because Promise House is an intimate space, guests are divided into four groups of 25, each with a dedicated host and arrival time. Your host will guide your group through the evening, keeping things relaxed and moving without feeling rushed.
At 8:35, everyone gathers in the outdoor tent for a collective program moment — a brief but meaningful pause to hear directly about the impact of your support, followed by a Fund-a-Need and a spirited game of Heads or Tails.
Signature cocktails and mocktails crafted by Bitter & Pour are included with your ticket and paired throughout the evening.
This event is expected to sell out.
About
Event Details
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 5:30PM to 9:30PM | Four staggered arrival waves
When registering, you will select your preferred seating time
Where: Promise House Shelter, 1621 10th St. SE
Cost: $300 per person | Limited to 100 guests
Each ticket includes an upscale, 7-course meal and cocktail/mocktail pairings from Bitter & Pour
How to Register:
Click the link above and follow the prompts to purchase your ticket!
Questions? Contact Susan Haskamp, shaskamp@fprochestermn.org
Reserve Your Seat
Tickets are $300 per person and limited to 100 guests.
Four staggered arrival waves ensure an intimate, unhurried experience from the moment you arrive.
Purchase Tickets
Questions about tickets?
Contact Susan Haskamp at
The Evening
Seven stations. Seven stories. One journey from crisis to home.
The Welcome - Arrival drinks & passed bites
Roots - Salad course
Comfort - Soup & bread
Dig In - Protein & main course
The Village - Charcuterie & grazing
Home Sweet Home - Dessert
Stay Awhile - Coffee & dessert drinks
Bitter & Pour will be crafting paired cocktails and mocktails
to accompany each station, including in the ticket price.
Choosing Your Arrival Time
When you register, you'll select your top two preferred arrival times: 6:00, 6:20, 6:40, or 7:00 PM. We'll do our best to honor your first choice — assignments are made in registration order, and we'll reach out if we can't accommodate your preference.
Coming with a group? Register together so we can place you in the same wave. If you register separately, note your group members' names in the comments section and we'll do our best to keep you together.
Arriving Early + Weather
The outdoor tent opens at 5:30 PM — you're welcome to arrive before your start time to mingle, grab a drink from the cash bar, and soak in the atmosphere. Plan to be at the Promise House front door ten minutes before your assigned start time so your group can begin on time.
September in Minnesota keeps us humble. If the evening runs cool or wet, the tent will be fully enclosed with heating and a coat check available. We're ready either way.
Attire
Semi-formal or cocktail attire is perfect.
Want to lean into the homecoming theme? We're here for it — whether that's a nod to your era, your school colors, or just a little nostalgic flair.
One practical note: you'll be on your feet and moving between stations all evening, so comfortable footwear is as important as stylish.
Parking
Parking is available across the street from Promise House at Family Service Rochester.
Complimentary valet is also available — no reservation needed.
Accessibility
Promise House is not fully ADA accessible — some stations require navigating stairs. If you need accommodations, please reach out to us in advance at shaskamp@fprochestermn.org and we'll make sure you have a great evening.
Why the Evening Matters
Family homelessness in Rochester is more common — and less visible — than most people realize. Families on the edge of homelessness rarely look the way most people imagine. They're doubling up with relatives, stretching a final paycheck, or one unexpected expense away from losing their housing entirely.
Family Promise Rochester exists to meet those families where they are. Through eviction prevention, emergency shelter, stabilization services, and rapid-response rental assistance, we walk alongside families as they set their own goals and build the path home that's right for them.
At the center of that work is Promise House — our 13-family residential shelter in southeast Rochester. Warm, dignified, and home-like by design. The only dedicated family shelter in Olmsted County.
Last winter, our waiting list stood at 54 families — the highest in our 25-year history. The need is urgent. The work is happening. And on September 12th, we're opening the doors.
When a family walks through our doors, they bring resilience, determination, and a clear goal: a safe, stable home where their children can thrive.
Join us for The Homecoming — and help ensure every family in Rochester has one.
EVICTION PREVENTION
Helping families avoid homelessness before it begins.
2025 Year-to-Date:
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75 families with children prevented from entering homelessness
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Average $1,314 cost per family
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151% of annual budgeted prevention funding already used due to overwhelming need
SHELTER
For families with nowhere else to go, Family Promise provides safe temporary housing and intensive case management.
2025 Data:
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Serving 10-14 families with children at a time
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Over 50 families consistently on the waitlist
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9 families graduated to permanent housing this year
STABILIZATION
After families move into housing, Family Promise continues walking alongside them to ensure long-term success.
Support includes:
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Financial coaching
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Employment and job readiness
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Transportation and resource connections
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Ongoing case management
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Basic needs support and community building
Sponsor the Event
Sponsorship opportunities for The Homecoming are available now — and the most exclusive tiers fill in commitment order.
Presenting Sponsor — $5,000 (One available) Your name on everything. Premier visibility before, during, and after the evening. Includes 8 tickets and discounted additional seating at $250 per person.
Station Sponsor — $2,000 (7 available) Your name on one of seven beautifully designed stations inside Promise House. Stations are claimed in commitment order. Includes 4 tickets and discounted additional seating at $250 per person.
Family Hospitality Sponsor — $500 (13 available — one per family) 100% of your sponsorship ensures one Promise House family enjoys a warm, comfortable night out while we celebrate inside their home. Discounted tickets available at $250 per person.
In-kind sponsorships are also welcomed for hotel accommodations, event photography, florals, printing, and professional cleaning. Recognition scaled to gift value.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Station Sponsors
Hospitality Sponsors
Interested in Volunteering?
Help us make the event a success! There are several opportunities to get involved. Contact us to learn more.