When Children Are Suffering
Be the Church Known for Caring
Guidance and resources to help churches care for foster, adoptive, and vulnerable children and families.
Be The Village Match Challenge
One donor will match all other giving (up to $200,000) until May of 2026!
The Be The Village Match Challenge gives donors the opportunity to double the impact of their giving and make a meaningful difference for vulnerable children and families in West Virginia.
Not everyone will open their home to children in foster care, but everyone can do something. You and your church can do something meaningful to help struggling children and families in your community.
Local churches and their people care and believe they should help, reflecting God’s love and compassion for the vulnerable; however, many hesitate to get involved due to uncertainty about what to do, where to start, and how to provide meaningful and sustainable support for these children and their families.
Chestnut Mountain Village provides guidance and tools that make it easy for you and your church to effectively care for vulnerable children and families in your community.
Start Discovering Your Something Today.
Chestnut Mountain Village (‘The Village’), a ministry of Chestnut Mountain Ranch, guides and equips churches to care for vulnerable children and families using a proven, step-by-step method. The Village believes that there should be clear, manageable, and proven ways for your church to effectively care for kids and families in your communities.
“Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” –James 1:27
WHEN CHILDREN ARE SUFFERING:
West Virginia has the highest number of children in the foster care system per capita. For every 1,000 babies born in West Virginia, 24.6 are removed due to maltreatment. This is more than three times the national average of seven per 1,000.
Over 60% of children in foster care are removed due to neglect. In West Virginia, it is estimated that 85% of child cases involve drug use. Over 60% of children in foster care will experience seven or more school changes.
Advocates consistently report that there is an insufficient number of foster families to care for these children. 80% of families who foster stop fostering within two years. Without support and care, the future for these children can be bleak.
THE VILLAGE PLAN BENEFITS:
Organized for Action
Organized, volunteer-led opportunities to support foster care and adoption in your community.
Hope for Children
Children and families are served and experience the love of Christ through the local church and community partners
Growing in Christ
A proven, step-by-step framework for spiritual and discipleship growth.
Join the Movement
Guiding and equipping churches to care for vulnerable children and families using a proven, step-by-step method.
VILLAGE NEWS & UPDATES
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How It started. How It’s Going. And Why It Matters.
In April 2024, Chestnut Mountain Village, two Monongalia County churches, and a local family serving organization launched a small but ambitious “proof of concept” to see whether CarePortal could help meet the real needs of children and families in crisis. Through CarePortal, local child serving agencies are able to enter needs such as beds, clothing, […]
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Passing Through the Waters Together: FAMs Give Hope
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” Isaiah 43:2a When a family steps out in faith and opens their home to foster care or adoption, they need to know they are not walking the journey alone! Family Advocacy […]
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Be The Village: A Vision Worth Doubling
We were excited to announce the launch of our Be The Village Match Challenge in November 2025. For six months, every financial gift to The Village will be matched dollar for dollar, up to two hundred thousand dollars. The generosity of donors will immediately double in impact and help strengthen and expand The Village’s work […]
Village Resource Center
Visit our Resource Center for articles, posts, and videos to help guide you through supporting children and families who are active in foster, adoption, and kinship care.
About Us
Chestnut Mountain Village (‘The Village’), a ministry of Chestnut Mountain Ranch, is dedicated to creating Christ-centered communities to provide hope and homes for vulnerable kids and families. To do this, the Village guides and equips church partners to care for vulnerable children and families by providing a proven, step-by-step ministry model …
