Karen Olson: Founder of Family Promise (ep. 894)

John O’Leary welcomes Family Promise founder Karen Olson onto the Live Inspired Podcast to share how one simple act of kindness sparked a nationwide movement, and to discuss purpose, compassion, overcoming adversity, and the power of community to change lives.

Karen Olson is the founder and CEO emeritus of Family Promise, the national nonprofit that has helped more than one million people experiencing homelessness through the support of volunteers across the country. While working as a successful marketing executive in New York City, Karen’s life took an unexpected turn when she stopped to share a sandwich with a woman named Millie. That simple act of kindness ultimately inspired Family Promise, a movement that has transformed countless lives.

Today, Karen shares the childhood loss that shaped her heart for people who are hurting, the encounter with Millie that inspired Family Promise, and what she’s learned after decades of serving families experiencing homelessness. We talk about why real change starts with seeing the person in front of you, how small acts of compassion can create a ripple effect, and how purpose often finds us when we least expect it. Karen also reflects on the accident that left her in a wheelchair and the perspective she’s gained through it.

My friends, if you’ve been wondering how to make a difference in a world that often feels overwhelming, this conversation is for you. Karen’s story is a beautiful reminder that changing someone’s life doesn’t always begin with a grand plan… sometimes it starts with simply crossing the street.

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• After losing her mother at 12 years old, Karen shares how that devastating loss shaped a lifetime of compassion.
• A sandwich changed a life, but not the life she expected. On her way to work in New York City, Karen crossed the street to share a ham and cheese sandwich with a homeless woman named Millie, an encounter that would change the course of Karen’s life.
• “She was just so terribly sad, and that was something I could relate to.” Seeing Millie’s sadness reminded Karen of her own grief and inspired her to keep showing up. Soon, she and her young sons were delivering sandwiches to people experiencing homelessness every other week.
• Although she had never cooked a Thanksgiving dinner before, Karen opened her home to eight people who had nowhere else to go, discovering the power of creating community around a shared table.
• In 1986, after learning that families were the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population, Karen launched the first Family Promise program by bringing local congregations together to provide shelter.
• “Why not, if we all work together, maybe we can do together what none of us can do alone.”
• “What I created was a shelter, but more than that, I created community.” 
• One out of every 30 people experiencing homelessness in the United States is a child. Through Family Promise, approximately 80% of the families they serve secure long-term housing.
• An accomplished painter, Karen reflects on a landscape she created during a difficult season of depression after becoming a mother. The painting features a winding path through a meadow, reminding her that no matter how difficult life becomes, there is always a way forward.
• Learn more about Family Promise here.
• Get a copy of Karen Olsen’s book Meant For More here.