About the network
Why the network exists
To better understand the local context and need, we invite you to review this brief overview of child welfare data.
Families across Greater Charlotte face increasing levels of stress, instability, and crisis that can lead to involvement in the child welfare system. In many cases, families need timely, relational support to prevent separation and strengthen stability. In other situations, foster care is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of children while families work toward healing and restoration.
Public systems play an essential role in protecting children, but they cannot meet these needs alone. The local Church is uniquely positioned to support families through every stage of the journey. This includes strengthening families and preventing separation when possible, equipping and supporting foster families when care outside the home is necessary, and surrounding children and parents with consistent, hope-filled relationships.
The Resilient Families Network exists to unite churches across our city around a shared commitment to strengthen vulnerable children and families. Together, we are building a coordinated ecosystem of care that supports families before crisis, during foster care when necessary, and throughout the process of restoration and long-term resilience.
Uniting the Church for the flourishing of vulnerable families in Greater Charlotte.
Our Purpose
To connect and equip churches to cultivate resilience for families who are at risk of or involved in the child welfare system.
Our Mission
Every vulnerable child and family will have the resilience, support, and hope they need to flourish.
Our Vision
What we mean by resilience
Resilience is not the absence of hardship. It is the ability to find strength, stability, and hope in the midst of adversity.
In the context of child and family welfare, resilience reflects the presence of supportive relationships, trauma-informed care, and community structures that help families heal, grow, and remain together whenever possible. The Resilient Families Network exists to help churches cultivate this kind of resilience by working together, learning together, and serving together.
How churches engage
Churches engage with the Resilient Families Network from many different starting points. There is no single pathway, timeline, or expectation for participation.
Engagement begins with relationship, conversation, and discernment. We take time to listen to church leaders, understand their context and capacity, and walk alongside them as they explore how their church may be called to participate in strengthening families.
Through guided reflection, shared learning, and ongoing collaboration, churches are supported in taking meaningful next steps that align with their leadership, resources, and calling.
