When a crisis strikes, many of us rely on family and friends for support. But for some families, poverty and social isolation mean they have no support networks when they need them the most. The Safe Families model is built upon providing family-like supports in order...

When her niece was murdered, Brooke Gustafson broke. She walked away from her 12-year career as a surgical technologist and began using recreational drugs to dull her pain. After spiraling for six months, she sought treatment for her addiction and mental health. Safe...

by Jewel Photopulos (Safe Families Tampa Chapter Director) Our first conversation with Mr. Hunt was heartbreaking. He wept as he explained his situation. He was jobless, homeless, and alone while trying to raise his two children on his own. His mother, who had been...

It is really hard to believe. Twenty years ago, the Lord planted the vision of Safe Families for Children in my heart. At that time, I had spent most of my professional life working with children and families involved in the child welfare system. In 1996, I...

by Emily Cowan, Family Support Supervisor (Safe Families NYC Chapter) In February of 2022, we received a self-referral from a 23-year-old, single, and unexpectedly pregnant mom. Mom, “Joslyn” was 20 weeks pregnant with no family in the city and few real friends when...

By Joyce Moffitt and Jessica Darnell - Greater Chicago Chapter In 2003, the Safe Families for Children movement began in Chicago. Our goal then and now is to engage families via faith communities to open their hearts and homes to care for children and their struggling...

by Alicia Butler, Chapter Director of Safe Families Wichita Chapter The Safe Families for Children chapter in Wichita celebrated its second anniversary in March. In 2020, interest in starting a SF chapter began to grow when the Fullbright family, who had been...

Parents connect to Safe Families for many different reasons, but there is one consistency in every story. A family has nowhere to turn to in a crisis situation. They are alone and isolated from a caring community. Teena reached out to Safe Families for Children during...

By Tiffany Ferguson, Safe Families Maine Chapter When Raelyn was referred to Safe Families for Children, she was a single mother struggling with mental health issues and caring for her 8-month-old son Wyatt. As Raelyn put it, “I was desperate, embarrassed, scared...

By Barbara Marzette and Amy Wolfe, Director of Development- Racine and Kenosha Metro, WI Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! Romans 11:33 I recently met Barbara, a mom who had...

Twenty years ago, I believe the Lord put a calling on my life. After working in ministry, launching a church, and then running a child welfare agency, I believe the Lord gave me the mission of Safe Families.  It was driven by an incredible sadness regarding the...

by Kate Swanson, SFFC Wisconsin Chapter Director When you hear the phrase “it takes a village” who do you think of? Who is in your villagethat has allowed you to be strong and supported? Who supported you while you chasedyour dreams, took positive risks, made...