Family Strengthening

FAMILY STRENGTHENING

Thought Leadership from Collaborate

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CAFO Collaborate workshops initiate conversations about effective care for vulnerable children and families within local church and NGO networks around the world.

These workshops generate ideas to: • Creatively share information • Involve more churches and individuals • Equip local churches for more effective care of vulnerable children in their communities In an April 2023, Virtual Collaborate DISCUSS session, global leaders brainstormed about family strengthening in a variety of cultural contexts. This document is a summary of those discussions.

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FAMILY STRENGTHENING Family Strengthening is any effort or intervention aimed at helping families stay together and thrive. It can include economic strengthening (like vocational training, community savings accounts, financial literacy classes, etc.), psychosocial strengthening (like counseling, parenting skills training, support groups, etc.), physical strengthening (like material resources, medical care, etc.)., educational strengthening (like scholarships, after school programs, school supplies, etc.), and spiritual strengthening (like discipleship, connection to a church community, prayer, etc.). Many families will require a combination of these supports. Family strengthening can be used to prevent separation or support families after reintegration or those providing alternative family care (such as foster care, kinship care, and adoption).

During this virtual Collaborate, global leaders explored family strengthening in their cultural contexts.

You may view the LEARN session within the April 2023 Virtual Collaborate course here.

Use code Global412 to register free.

To dive deeper into Family Strengthening, consider taking the CAFO Research Center course here. Use code Collaborate2023 to register free.

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COLLABORATE OUTCOMES Global leaders were divided by world region for the purpose of this discussion. Given the unique nature of each world region and the indigenous cultures native to each region, the feedback from regions varied. The groups were tasked with the following: Identify the top 5 considerations to keep in mind for churches and organizations developing Family Strengthening programs in your communities. Include factors: 1. Regarding local culture 2. Unique family crisis issues in your context 3. Anything else that might differ from the broader principles outlined in the previous LEARN session

REGIONAL STRATEGIES Africa: Eastern & Southern • Churches can help strengthen families by providing parenting classes and marriage enrichment programs.

• The church can support equitable access to resources for women. It is important that men see church leaders and other respected members of the community respecting and honoring women.

• Poverty and financial restraints must be addressed. Often children and families are vulnerable because of their financial status. Churches can help to strengthen families through savings groups and other programs that help families rise out of poverty.

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Africa: Western & Central • Consider the erosion of family values in society. Due to poverty, Covid, and vulnerability to extremist groups, there is a strong pull towards placing children in institutions rather than raising them at home in the family setting.

• Define poverty and vulnerability within the context of West and Central Africa, so that families may be properly supported.

• Educate parents, particularly fathers, on creating a plan in the event of their death so that women and children are not left without a way to support themselves in the event of the death of the father.

• Remember that every family and every situation is unique. Many of the needs are financial - school fees, food, medical care, etc. and they will need financial aid/ support.

• Culture/ethnicity/religion must be considered. Issues like child marriage and family planning must be addressed.

• The Church is a key place to advocate for Family Based Care. Family Based Care is a multi purpose insight. Churches can identify needs within communities and walk alongside the communities as those needs are addressed. Churches can partner with families and communities to aid in solutions.

• Strengthening should empower people to stand on their own and then give them capacity to strengthen others.

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Europe, Asia, Middle East & North America • Rely on local people while taking their culture into account.

• Make contact with families, strengthen relationships, and create an environment of mutual trust.

• Help families to develop activities that can help them to support themselves financially.

• Build on existing structures in the churches to help families.

• Organize training for family leaders on income-generating activities; strengthen their skills and abilities.

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Latin America • Uniting together in a spiritual formation calendar will unify those participating and reflect the Body of Christ. Participants will know they do not strive alone, but that they walk together with shared goals of serving vulnerable children and families with the love of Christ.

• The experience will testify of God’s inexhaustible love, power, and His heart for people, families, and children.

• Journeying together will add more links to the chain of which networks are a part, by being united spiritually.

• Participants will renew their strength and encourage each other, knowing they share experiences and learning opportunities. This community will be well positioned help others who have been in similar situations.

• A monthly calendar experience will serve as a connection point to expand the support network and let others know what network members do and areas they serve.

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Middle East • Provide financial counseling, education, and support to vulnerable families.

• Provide programs and trainings focused on life skills.

• Engage nongovernmental and governmental institutions and churches with the local communities to meet the needs of the family • Raise awareness and train parents in parenting skills.

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