It takes faith, time, money, and emotion to prioritize at-risk kids and their families. We’re grateful when a church partner decides to make this investment to care for vulnerable children, and we want to do all we can to help push forward their mission. To alleviate the stress and confusion that can come with creating any new ministry, we’ve created a step-by–step model called Family Advocacy Ministries (FAMs).
Churches are often full of people who want to make a positive impact in the lives of vulnerable children, but don’t always know how. We believe if churches are empowered to openly and effectively share about the problems at-risk children are experiencing, families will step up, either by becoming a foster or adoptive family or by deciding to support a family in crisis. They simply need a plan.
Promise686 implements FAMs to help bring about a positive impact in the lives of vulnerable children by:
Promise provides the training, resources, and guidance needed to empower churches to set up and maintain successful FAMs.
We believe every church can do something to make a difference in the child welfare crisis. Depending on your church’s area of interests, resources available, and families in need, your something could look like:
Engage volunteers in a program specfically built for equipping your church to care for the vulnerable children around you through Promise686's unique partnership with Lifeline Children's Services.
Every FAM may look different but they all have one thing in common: needs are met and lives are changed. The list above shows a few ways to engage, but simply fill out the form or watch this free online course to get started with something. Nothing is too small!
CHURCH ADVOCATES + CLINICS
Every Family Advocacy Ministry (FAM) needs leaders to create awareness, equip volunteers, and spark action. We call these leaders Church Advocates. All Advocates are trained at at a FAM Clinic where they receive everything needed to create and maintain a successful FAM within their local church. In addition to the Clinic, Promise686 provides resources and ongoing support to Church Advocates and their volunteers. As an Advocate, we want you to be completely equipped to best serve foster & adoptive families, and biological families in crisis.
WHO TO SERVE
Not all FAMs will serve foster, adoptive, and biological families. Many times, FAMs decide to start out with one particular area of focus, like supporting foster families or raising awareness around adoption needs. Once FAMs are a little more established, we often see them expand their reach and the types of families they serve. The one thing all FAMs have in common is that they care for vulnerable children by supporting families in need.
WHY PARTNER WITH PROMISE686
Promise provides the training, resources, and guidance needed to empower church leaders, ministry leaders, and volunteers to set up and maintain successful FAMs. In fact, we’ve trained over 1,000 churches in 27 states and the impact made through these church partners is significant.
Did you know the national average of families who quit fostering within the first year is about 50%? When supported by a FAM and its Care Communities, over 90% continue fostering into a second year. Care Communities are just one way Family Advocacy Ministries bring about positive change in the child welfare crisis.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW FAMs MAKE A DIFFERENCE
FAMs make an impact in their local community through:
WATCH THE FREE "INTRO TO FAM" COURSE
Check out this free online course to learn more about what Family Advocacy Ministries do, the impact made through FAMs, and how to get started. If you have a heart for vulnerable children but aren't sure if a FAM is right for your church, we recommend watching this 7-minute course!