Allow me to take a moment to pull you into a a BIG effort by Safe Families of Madison County. In case you are not yet familiar, I'll explain. Safe Families allows parents who are in crisis to voluntarily choose to place their child in the home of a host family, while the parent works to get back on their feet. Our host families are intentionally recruited through churches; they are screened, trained and they are not paid. We refer to what we do as less of a "program" and more of an opportunity for people to help people. Novel idea isn't it? We have facilitated over 160 placements and recruited over 22 host families since our inception in Madison County in March of 2013.
A snapshot of those numbers looks like this:
Now, our biggest needs are in the area of fundraising. Safe Families not only prevents families from falling unnecessarily into the hands of the foster care system but is also considered to be a child abuse prevention program. In the past, Safe Families has been supported financially by means of prevention dollars--dollars that our state sets aside to assist prevention programs. However, in recent months, our state has decided to disallow the continuance of these funds, leaving a significant deficit in our budget…and unfortunately we cannot do what we do without funding.
On average, our cost of helping a child is $150.00 and helping a family costs approximately $500.00 On the contrary, a child going into foster care costs about $1,200.00 - $1,300.00 The foster care system is a program that we do need! However, some families want better for themselves and for their children…they just can't do it without support.
Safe Families is embracing this change in funding and seeking the support of churches and benevolent people more than ever! This organization is a movement that equips the church to re-engage with the weak, the needy and the fatherless…just as we were meant to do! Our sustainability is falling largely into the hands of generous people and the church; and perhaps that is God's desire for us!
The current fundraising effort is to raise a much needed $10,000 for Safe Families of Madison County. $5,000 of those dollars are match dollars, which means as soon as we are able to raise $5,000 in online donations, our match dollars will kick in. You can click on the image on the right and go directly to our Safe Families of Madison County fundraising page, via Crowdrise. Your willingness to do this will help shine love and peace into these kiddos and their families. Please share this campaign after you give, doing so would help us out in two ways:
1. Spread Awareness. Whether you are local to Madison County or not, the word about Safe Families needs to get out there. This is movement that seeks to start wherever willing hears and minds lie!
2. Gain Donations. Please share via social media the fact that you donated through this campaign and a bit about why you decided to give to us.
Safe Families is only as strong as the people who step forward to support us with your time, your energy, your finances and your resources. God has done incredible work here so far, and we know there is more to come! Check out how Safe Families in Madison County got started and consider where you fit in.
- a homeless family of 6 now has a home after a 5 week placement
- a 6 year old girl raised by her grandmother with terminal cancer has been adopted by her host family
- a mother of 5 with no utilities in her home established a new job and was able to pay her utilities…plus her kids had the best summer ever!
- a mother of 5 was able to complete her goals by completing CNA training and moving out of her tiny apartment
Now, our biggest needs are in the area of fundraising. Safe Families not only prevents families from falling unnecessarily into the hands of the foster care system but is also considered to be a child abuse prevention program. In the past, Safe Families has been supported financially by means of prevention dollars--dollars that our state sets aside to assist prevention programs. However, in recent months, our state has decided to disallow the continuance of these funds, leaving a significant deficit in our budget…and unfortunately we cannot do what we do without funding.
On average, our cost of helping a child is $150.00 and helping a family costs approximately $500.00 On the contrary, a child going into foster care costs about $1,200.00 - $1,300.00 The foster care system is a program that we do need! However, some families want better for themselves and for their children…they just can't do it without support.
Safe Families is embracing this change in funding and seeking the support of churches and benevolent people more than ever! This organization is a movement that equips the church to re-engage with the weak, the needy and the fatherless…just as we were meant to do! Our sustainability is falling largely into the hands of generous people and the church; and perhaps that is God's desire for us!
The current fundraising effort is to raise a much needed $10,000 for Safe Families of Madison County. $5,000 of those dollars are match dollars, which means as soon as we are able to raise $5,000 in online donations, our match dollars will kick in. You can click on the image on the right and go directly to our Safe Families of Madison County fundraising page, via Crowdrise. Your willingness to do this will help shine love and peace into these kiddos and their families. Please share this campaign after you give, doing so would help us out in two ways:
1. Spread Awareness. Whether you are local to Madison County or not, the word about Safe Families needs to get out there. This is movement that seeks to start wherever willing hears and minds lie!
2. Gain Donations. Please share via social media the fact that you donated through this campaign and a bit about why you decided to give to us.
Safe Families is only as strong as the people who step forward to support us with your time, your energy, your finances and your resources. God has done incredible work here so far, and we know there is more to come! Check out how Safe Families in Madison County got started and consider where you fit in.
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