Relationship brings proven methods and tools to help West Virginia churches care for vulnerable children and families
Chestnut Mountain Village (“The Village”), a ministry of Morgantown-based Chestnut Mountain Ranch, has become the West Virginia affiliate of The Promise Network. The Promise Network is a nationwide group of churches and organizations that are committed to living the promise God makes in Psalm 68:6 “to set the lonely in families.”
As part of The Promise Network, The Village and its participating churches can receive training, resources, and ongoing support from Promise 686, a leading national organization that mobilizes church communities to care for vulnerable children. The Promise Network currently supports 1,017 churches in 26 states. The addition of The Village makes West Virginia one of the newest states to join the Network.
“The Village’s status as a Promise Network affiliate will allow our West Virginia church partners to access proven, step-by-step methods and tools to start ministries focused on caring for foster, adoptive and other vulnerable children and families,” said Greg Clutter, Director of Foster Care Initiatives at The Village. “The resources The Village can bring as a Promise Network affiliate will provide multiple ways for churches to both start and sustain these ministries.”
The founding organization of The Promise Network, Promise 686, based in Norcross, Georgia, helps mobilize church communities to care for vulnerable children. Using their technology, tools, and proven methods, they have equipped over 1000 churches across the nation to:
Raise awareness around the needs of vulnerable children;
Help prevent children from going into foster care by supporting families in need;
Recruit and equip foster & adoptive families; and
Create Care Communities for those caring for at-risk kids.
“Chestnut Mountain Ranch has a deep understanding of the significant trauma that West Virginia children face. Now they are bringing that understanding and a path for service to churches through The Village. We could not be more pleased to partner with them,” said Andy Cook, CEO of Promise 686.
The driving forces behind The Village partnerships include not only the significant number of West Virginia children in foster care, but, also, the potential poor outcomes for children when there are not enough foster families or community support. West Virginian has the highest per capita number of children in foster care in the U.S. Church and community leaders can begin caring for these children and families by visiting The Village website at cmvwv.org or contacting The Village via email at greg@chestnutmountainranch.org.