An outgrowth of Special Camps at Camp Sumatanga, Promise Homes began as United Methodist Residential Alternatives (UMRA) in 1994. Many parents of campers asked what would happen to their family members when they could no longer care for them. A dedicated team garnered both interest and support throughout the North Alabama Conference, and after much research and planning, in 1994, UMRA was incorporated.
In May 1998, two residents were admitted to the first house in Gadsden, Alabama. A year later, another Gadsden home was acquired, and in 2002 a home was added in nearby Rainbow City, Alabama. In 1999, UMRA expanded to Decatur. There are currently six homes in Decatur along with the Day Center. Plans are underway for a new home to be built near Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Birmingham.
In 2010, UMRA changed its name to Promise Homes to more accurately describe the mission of the organization. Our commitment to our residents' care includes not only our dedication to serve them in the present, but also to provide and plan for meeting their needs and those of many additional special needs adults in the future.
The purpose of Promise Homes is to provide not just a place to live, but a real family where intellectually disabled adults can live as independently as possible with pride and dignity.
