The Kennedy's Story of Giving Back and Jordan's Ride

Cindy and Zane Kennedy are a host family, Safe Families supporter, and never giving up family.

Last year, Safe Families presented at the Kennedy's small church, Markleville North Christian Church.  The Kennedy's soon decided to take a leap of faith and become a host family.  Although they were not quite sure what was on the other side of that commitment, the Kennedy's felt that God had prompted their heart, and they jumped in with two feet to serve families in crisis by caring for children in their home.

Soon the call came from a very nervous mother who was hesitant to use Safe Families, although she would soon be hospitalized with the birth of her 3rd child and had no family members able to keep her two sons during her hospital stay.  Cindy and Zane provided a loving home to these 2 boys who were very anxious about leaving their mother's side.  Cindy was welcoming to the boys and took them to visit their new brother in the hospital.  Cindy held that sweet baby like it was an extension of her own family ~ and in a way it was.

As in many cases, the boys went home and Cindy didn't hear from the boys' mom for quite some time.

Then came Pizza Night at Greeks Pizzeria.  Here in MadCo we get our host families, placing parents and local supporters together and have a quarterly fundraiser night with pizza and music. The Kennedy's invited the mom and her boys ~ pizza night gave them an opportunity to hang out and catch up.

Soon after,  things went down hill for this single-parent family.  She communicated to Cindy that she had lost her job and wasn't sure what her plan was next.  With no car, getting around to look for a new job wasn't easy.

Cindy had a hard time hearing the struggles of this single mom with three kids who seemed to be trying so hard but had so many setbacks.  Cindy said,  "I ask God all the time why some have so much and some have so little."

That's when Cindy got an idea.  She had a friend in the car biz and Cindy and Zane decided to ask their church to help them purchase a car.

This small but faithful church, combined with the Kennedy's help, came up with enough funds to buy this mother a new car.

Cindy recounted to me how she told her of the good news,

"Well, I met with her at the library.  I said,  I have a surprise for ya… after we met for pizza and after you told us that you lost your job, we talked about it and prayed about it and decided that we wanted to help.  The Lord laid it on our heart that you needed a vehicle more than anything else right now, and so we asked our church and our church family came together and we have enough money to buy you a car."

Cindy's eyes became glossy and she said,  "So here we are both sitting in the library crying."

Cindy and Zane took the mother to the car lot to choose a car for the amount that had been donated by this small but incredibly giving church.  When she saw the 2005 Honda Accord with only one owner she kept saying,  "This is so nice!  It just... looks so nice!"

Many times we strive to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and serve others, and we get no thank you and no acknowledgment all the work we have done.  And other times, our actions are the manifestation of God's love for hurting people.

Later that day I received this message from this grateful mom: "You will never believe what Cindy shared with me today.  THE CHURCH IS GETTING US A CAR!  … I am blessed.  I can tell God does love me and has not forgotten me."

God uses his people, his fallen chosen people, to show His love others.  But sometimes -- you just have to jump in with two feet not knowing what God has in store.

Cindy and Zane did not give up on helping others, and God has give them a way to BE blessed while BEING a blessing.

The Kennedy's have not only given help to struggling parents - they have chosen to be a blessing to the Safe Families organization as well.  Cindy's desire to help others who are struggling come from a personal place in her own life.  In 2009, Cindy's son - Jordan - passed away.  To honor his life, Cindy and Zane started up "The Jordan Bush Memorial Ride and BBQ Dinner" to give back to the community and help others in memory of their son.

Cindy said that after Safe Families came for a church presentation, she was "immediately interested and was looking for another avenue for Jordan's Ride to help. My husband and I prayed about it, talked with our church about it and we decided we wanted to be a part of this Safe Families organization.  So last year, and again this year, our charity ride is supporting Safe Families of Madison County.  We look back, and it was a horrible time in our life.  We didn't give up and we're helping other people.  And it's in his memory."





















Safe Families for Children is a 501c3 non-profit organization that operates only by earning grants, and receiving funding through churches and benevolent individuals.  Cindy and Zane's desire to bless the Safe Families ministry is a gigantic blessing!

For more information on this ride, check out the flyers, join the Facebook invite, or contact jbush@northchristianchurch.org

Click here for more information on how to become a host family, volunteer or get your church involved or contact ejohnson@safefamilies.net for information on the Safe Families movement in Madison County.

#WhyWeHost Reason #3: Because it is God's design

The Barker Family Story

"Our family has always been a host family in retrospect.  I believe that God has been preparing both my husband and I to host for a long time.  Even before we had our daughter Aubrey, the neighborhood children would randomly come hang out with us.  Tyler, my husband, was always outside working on something... the yard, cars or bicycles.  I often sat with him, just being there.  The neighborhood kids would stop to see what we were doing, I'd offer them a soda, and that was that.  We would have a daily visitor.

Tyler and I moved from our starter home after the birth of our daughter.  When we landed at Tyler's childhood home in the country, we thought that would be the end of the neighborhood kids.  God however has a sense of humor and at that house it was actually worse.  Now that Aubrey was two, they would come over to "play with Aubrey."  In reality, the boys would be outside with Tyler and the girls and I would be cooking, chatting, playing with Aubrey and having a good time.

As time went forward, we moved once again to our forever (we think) home.  The hustle and bustle stopped.  To me the house seemed so empty.  We only had one neighbor kid that would come over.  Tyler and I had heard of Safe Families at church and had been sitting on the idea for some time.  Now that the flow of extra children had stopped it seemed like a feasible idea.

We began the process of becoming a host family through Safe Families.  God has worked on our hearts for many years, the neighborhood kids having stories of their own.  Our first family has a story as well.  

Our first placement was unusual, it was a part-time placement that lasted for almost 7 months.  After spending so many weekends together, the children felt like a part of our family.  What an adventure we had together!  We introduced the children to camping, paddle boats, canoeing, they met our extended family, became part of our church family and our small group family.  How amazing it was to watch their confidence soar and see the love around them comfort them.

You see, we became a host family to change children and families lives.  We did, and I know that the children we hosted had a season of life that will never be taken from them.  They feel the value of who they are and know that there are many good people in this world. And that was my goal.

God, however, has a goal so much bigger than our one track minds.  While we were busy changing the children's lives, the children were busy changing the world.  Those two children changed the heart of not only myself, Tyler and Aubrey, they changed the heart of our extended family, our small group, our church family and even people whom we met camping and will never see again.  In each of these people a new idea was formed.  An idea that a person is a person, just like Horton says, no matter their circumstance, the way they look or the way they speak.  A person is a person and they are Gods children, no different.  A work has begun in the hearts of many, and this work will never be taken from them.

I want to end with this point.  Safe families is not simply about helping families in crisis.  It is Gods design of a bigger picture.  God put us on this earth to love each other.  That is Safe Families design as well.  To open your home and to love.  Cherish the change in all of us.  The whole encompassing circle around these families we serve will never again be the same, because we all now know a different way, and that can't be taken from us.

If I could list how many people have been touched just by this one family in crisis, it would begin with me and spiral all the way to that one woman in line at the grocery store that saw us interacting together and loving one another.  Her question to me from three people back in line was "Are they all yours?"  My response was, "we are a host family for Safe Families, to get more info you can Google it.  No, they are not all mine, but I sure do love them all."  A work begun...even in the line at the grocery store. Observers are around us that I will never even know, yet the seed is planted just the same.  Beautiful."

Jenn and Tyler Barker

Aubrey Barker

Thank you Jennifer, Tyler and Aubrey Barker for sharing your hearts, your home, and your Safe Families story.  To learn more about Safe Families in your area, or for more information about hosting, contact ejohnson@safefamilies.net

Wow!! God Did It... Through YOU!

We are ecstatic.  This is really great…. we MADE OUR GOAL!  You gave $10,000 for Safe Families for Children of Madison County.  

We would like to extend a heart felt THANK YOU to our generous donor's who have stepped forward not only to making this a successful campaign, but to change lives right here in our own back yard.

Each of you are a part of something much bigger than just giving to a non-profit organization. You are empowering people to help other people and believing that God made us to do this work. You are allowing those who have stepped up to this mighty call to be the hands and feet of Jesus and serve families in crisis in our community.You are supporting the Church's ability to:

"Defend the cause of the weak and the fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.  Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."  
Psalm 82:3

You are keeping a Movement moving.

And for that, we say

God is doing great things in Madison County, through the hearts and hands of benevolent people, businesses and churches.
A special thanks goes out to the following people for their contribution to this effort:

Pam and Larry Nevins
Ryan Flegel
Annie Nichols & Family
Amanda Day & Family
Jennifer Overshiner & Family
Kristin and Eric Stayer
Hillary and Owen Nevins
Steve Voss
Luke and Jessee Nevins
Chris and Sara Richardson
Ryan Snider
Ken and Linda Johnson
Gregg Zion
Amanda Pippin & Family
Lisa DeLey
Bryan Williams
Angie Mollenkopf
Jeff and Kelly Seal
James W. Lewis
Megan Wolfe
Chad and Amy Lukens
Joe and Barbara Clark
Mary Harvey
Walter and Betty Copeland
Kyle Hupfer & Family
John Perkins/Flyover Enterprises
Jake & Arin Anderson & Family
Janice Stamper & Family
Jen Brawner/Kelly Crockett

and our anonymous donors
K.R.
K.B.
C.C.
P.F.
C.A.
A.W.
J.N.
S.G.
N&L D.

Matching Fund Donors:
Bryan Williams and Lisa DeLey
Howard, Dudley and DeLey
Angela Sims
Tom Hamer
Jimmy McDole
Scott and Jana Kemper
Bruce and Mary Ellen McDonald
Park Place Church of God
Pendleton Christian Church
Markleville North Christian Church

Also, thank you to Andria Pilkington for allowing us to use her video in our campaign, and for being willing to share her story with our audience.

Founder Dr. David Anderson calls Safe Families for Children, "a movement of hundreds of Christian families who have opened their homes to care for children whose parents are struggling.  By demonstrating biblical hospitality, Safe Families returns the church to the forefront of caring for "orphans and widows."' (James 1:27)

This "biblical hospitality" is alive and well in Madison County.  With almost 25 approved host families and close to 200 placements having been facilited, God is already moving in mighty ways. Here is just one example:

Ashley had 5 children and made a desperate phone call to our crisis line on a hot and sticky afternoon in July.  Ashley sat in our office with tears running down her cheeks, explaining how she had lost her job, her tax-return had been intercepted, and her utilities had been turned off for non-payment.  She asked if she could place her children with our host families until she could start her new job, earn some income and pay her utility bill.

We placed 3 out of the 5 children in our host homes and assisted Ashley with contacting resources for help with her utilities.  During our time with Ashley, she confessed "my children need the influence of a family.  We used to be a family before I had to leave my husband.  I never thought I would be alone in the world with 5 children, but I am."

Two host families, Chad and Tiffany Dzerve and Heather and Noel Lephart, took in 3 of the children while Ashley started her new job and waited to recieve her paycheck.  Heather and Noel were aware of Ashley's need for financial help with her utility bill.  Ashley's oldest daughter Arianna spotted a jar full of change in the Lephart's home one day and said, "Hey we could count the change and give it to my Mama!"  The Lephart's agreed to the plan and wrote a check to the utility company for over $100 to assist with the arrearage.

Chad and Tiffany blessed the two younger children, Clayton and Miranda, with their spacious country home.  The two children played well with their own two girls and there never seemed to be a dull moment in their home during the 5 week placement.  Clayton and Miranda were grateful to have Chad and Tiffany's home as a place to rest, take a breath, and be a kid.

After 5 weeks, Ashley had begun receiving paychecks, found assistance for her utility bill and was able to bring her children home just in time for school to start again.  Clayton told his safe family, "I'm definitly coming back to your house next summer!"

Just last week, Safe Families contacted Ashley about needs for her children for Christmas. Her response was, "Definitely... Thanks for all you do at Safe Families.  You all are angels."

God is working through Safe Families to change lives, and we can't thak you enough for your generous support of our organization.  If you'd like to learn more about hosting, getting your church involved or volunteering with Safe Families, please email ejohnson@safefamilies.net 

A Big Effort

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:

• 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

There is no doubt we are meant to be here in Madison County, serving families in crisis by meeting their immediate needs and connecting them with loving host families who care for their children with the love of Jesus.

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.  

The Story of Safe Families in Madison County

Has your heart ever been torn to shreds after reading a tragic news story about a child who suffered because there weren’t enough people who cared?  Have you ever wished there was something you could do about it?

I’m going to tell you a story about how a tragic story broke our hearts in such a way that it would change our actions.

Quite a few years back, when my husband still had a desk job, he managed to pass the hours by keeping up on current news stories. My husband is a musician with a bit of a bleeding heart and many times he would come home and share a particularly difficult story that would cause us both to lower our eyes in despair because there was simply nothing to say. There was one article in particular about a boy named Robert whose story left a mark.

The story was tragic. Robert, 7, had been court mandated to have visitation with his mother, although his father had fought hard for full custody.  On one of his mandatory weekend visits, he was so severely beaten by his mother’s boyfriend that Robert died. My husband read about his kind disposition and how he was known to be a sweet child who always gave his teachers lots of hugs.  When I gazed at his 2nd grade picture, his innocent little face even reminded us of our own son.

This story broke my husband in a way I hadn’t seen before; it was the icing on the cake for him. We had struggled through quite a few other tragedies in our life, but for some reason this little boy did him in.  I could see the depression sink in as he struggled to reconcile the tragic reality of our world with his faith.

This little boy left a spot on our souls. His story left us with the feeling that living this life for the pursuit of the almighty dollar or even for just ourselves wasn’t enough.  Something in us changed.

A few years passed by.  During the summer of 2012 I offered to let my neighbor’s daughter come over to hang with us while her dad worked.  She liked our house so I let my neighbor know she was always welcome. Eventually the little girl started coming over with her cousin.  I could tell things weren’t very stable with the little girl’s cousin and she would say things like, “I think my house is a hotel…” I didn’t ask many questions, but let my neighbor know the girls were welcome anytime for as long as they needed to stay.

The girls would spend the night and stay whenever they needed.  My husband—remarkably—was ok with this. He was patient with these girls, loving and kind. We happened to be in the middle of a huge bathroom tear-out and the cousin became curious, following my husband around the house as he worked on completing our bathroom project.  I was blown away by his patience and willingness to allow her to help him.  He didn’t know what her life was like at home, why she was living in a hotel, or if she had a daddy or not.  But he showed kindness to the young strangers in our home that summer.

Little did we know that allowing a few neighbor girls to spend time with us was laying the foundation for something bigger to happen. We were being prepared for the moment when my neighbor's sister would call us because she was at the end of her rope and thought perhaps we could be of some help. We were being prepared for the moment God would call us to be a Safe Family so that we could provide a temporary home for the little girl (and her younger brother), who had been living in a hotel while their mother worked hard to get back on her feet. It was our opportunity to act, to do something about all those tragic news stories.

Right now, in Madison County, there are kids on the brink of abuse and neglect because their parents are in crisis.  Maybe they can't find work.  Maybe they were evicted.  Maybe there is no one they can depend on. 

Safe Families is unique in that the parent chooses to  place their children in the home of a “safe family.” Doing so gives the parent time to get back on their feet and in many cases deflects the need for the foster care system.  Safe Families is a movement of compassion that returns the church to the forefront of caring for the weak and the needy.  We are not funded through State, but through churches, grants and benevolent people. 

Consider how God may be promoting you to get involved--maybe you can volunteer your time as a host family, or maybe your talent as a professional, or maybe even your treasure.  Our family never would have guessed that two years later we would still be tightly bonded to the mother of the little girl we helped.  You can check out her story HERE.  You never know how your life might be changed when we choose to open our hearts, our homes and our resources to families that are in crisis.    

Emma Johnson
Safe Families for Children, Madison County
ejohnson@safefamilies.net
SFFC National: www.safe-families.org
SFFC Indiana: www.insafefamilies.org
SFFC Madison County Facebook