Chestnut Mountain Village

A ministry of Chestnut Mountain Ranch

Mark Hager

Chestnut Mountain Village Launches $200,000 “Be The Village” Match Challenge to Strengthen Foster Family Support Across West Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Campaign offers dollar-for-dollar match to provide churches with training and resources for foster, adoptive and kinship families

Morgantown, W.Va. – [DATE] – Chestnut Mountain Village (The Village), a ministry equipping West Virginia churches statewide to support foster, adoptive and kinship families in their communities, announced the launch of a $200,000 matching gift challenge. Beginning immediately, every dollar donated to The Village will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $200,000, doubling the community’s impact and bringing the total potential support to $400,000.

West Virginia continues to face one of the highest per-capita rates of children in foster care in the nation. Many local churches throughout the state desire to respond but aren’t sure where to start. The Village bridges that gap by providing training, coaching and support systems that enable congregations to serve families year-round.

“This is an invitation,” said Greg Clutter, director of The Village.“Ifyou’ve ever wondered how to help children and families in your own community, this is a way to start. Every donation you make immediately multiplies.”

The “Be The Village” Match Challenge aligns with The Village’s growing mission of reminding individuals, congregations, and communities that when children and families face crisis, West Virginia churches can be tangible sources of care, stability and hope. Funds raised during this match challenge will expand The Village’s partnerships with churches across the state, equipping them to offer practical support to the families in their congregations and neighborhoods who are caring for vulnerable children.

How the Match Works:

  • Every donation made to Chestnut Mountain Village from now until May 1, 2026, will be matched 1:1.
  • Gifts can be made online at cmvwv.org/be-the-village or by mail.
  • The challenge continues until May 1, 2026, or until the full $200,000 match is met.

“When families step forward to foster or adopt, they should never have to do it alone,” said Clutter. “This match gives us a tremendous opportunity to strengthen and grow the network of churches ready to wrap around these families with meals, mentoring, respite care, transportation, and ongoing encouragement. Everyone can do something — and right now, every gift goes twice as far.”

About Chestnut Mountain Village

Chestnut Mountain Village is a statewide initiative of Chestnut Mountain Ranch. The Village guides, equips, and connects West Virginia churches to support foster, adoptive, kinship, and vulnerable families by providing practical tools, community building, and long-term care strategies. The Village believes the call to care for children is not the responsibility of one family, but of an entire community of believers working together. Everyone can do something. Learn more at https://cmvwv.org/be-the-village.

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Chestnut Mountain Village and DoHS Expand CarePortal to offer community-based solutions to more West Virginia Families

9/17/2025
West Virginia Department of Human Services

After serving more than 270 children in Monongalia and Preston counties, Chestnut Mountain Village, in partnership with the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), is expanding CarePortal into Harrison, Marion, Taylor, and Barbour counties. The technology platform connects caseworkers with local churches and community members who can respond directly to urgent needs, such as beds, clothing, school supplies, or transportation, that help stabilize children and families. The initiative builds on the measurable success of the pilot program launched earlier this year, offering timely, community-based solutions to strengthen families and support children in foster care.

By mobilizing support quickly and effectively, CarePortal reduces barriers for caseworkers, foster families, and biological families while keeping children safe in their communities.

Since its pilot launch in April 2025, CarePortal has demonstrated clear results in Monongalia and Preston counties:

  • 274 children served
  • 212 request responses
  • $58,793 in economic impact generated
  • 92% request fulfillment rate

These outcomes highlight the program’s ability to deliver real, community-driven support while easing caseload pressures for child welfare staff.

“Foster care challenges in our state are too great for one agency or organization to carry alone,” said Greg Clutter, Director of Chestnut Mountain Village. “CarePortal proves what’s possible when churches, neighbors, and state partners work together. We can close gaps, prevent crises, and keep children safe in their own communities.”

DoHS leaders agree that CarePortal reflects priorities identified in the 2025 Child Welfare Listening Tour, where more than 350 West Virginians shared 1,700 ideas for system improvement. Among the top recommendations were increased caregiver support, stronger prevention services, and more collaboration between agencies and families.

“CarePortal represents the kind of innovative, community-based solution our listening tour participants asked for,” said Alex Mayer, Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Human Services. “It’s one more way West Virginia is working to strengthen families and provide the right support at the right time. At the heart of this effort are our communities, because lasting success depends on neighbors, organizations, and local leaders coming together to ensure children and families have what they need to thrive.”

The long-term goal is to expand CarePortal across additional regions of West Virginia, ensuring that families statewide can access timely support while caseworkers are better equipped to focus on safety and permanency.​

Contact Information

West Virginia Department of Human Services – DoHSCommunications@wv.gov

Chestnut Mountain Village – Greg Clutter, Director

Preston County to Launch Next Phase of CarePortal Initiative in West Virginia

Preston County CarePortal launch

Media Contacts:
Greg Clutter, Director
Chestnut Mountain Village
304-612-6265
greg@chestnutmountainranch.org
Angel Hightower, Communication Specialist
West Virginia Department of Human Services
304-558-0684
angelica.q.hightower@wv.gov

What:
A public launch and celebration event introducing CarePortal to Preston County—only the second county launch of CarePortal in all of West Virginia. CarePortal is a technology platform that connects local churches with real-time needs of vulnerable children and families, empowering communities to provide tangible support and prevent unnecessary foster care placements.
This event will include a live demonstration of how CarePortal works, showing how local churches can respond in real-time to meet urgent needs in the community.

When:
📅 Tuesday, May 13, 2025
🕑 Begins at 2:00 PM

Where:
🏛 Kingwood Community Center
115 Brown Avenue, Kingwood, WV

Why This Matters:
CarePortal is transforming the way communities care for children and families in crisis by empowering local churches to be a meaningful part of the child welfare response—connecting them directly to the needs of children and families in their neighborhoods through local child serving professionals.
Nationally, CarePortal is active in 38 states and is having a measurable impact across the country. The platform has met 135,575 requests, served 358,943 children, and generated an estimated $133.9 million in economic impact.
This launch, made possible through collaboration with the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) and Chestnut Mountain Village, represents a major step toward strengthening families and supporting at-risk children in Preston County. Prior to this event, CarePortal was launched in Monongalia County on April 10, 2025 at a public event in Morgantown.

Event Highlights:
The program will feature remarks from a distinguished group of state and community leaders, a live demonstration of CarePortal in action by the CarePortal Demonstration Team, and opportunities for interviews. Following the formal program, attendees are invited to stay for informal networking and discussion. Light refreshments, including soft drinks and desserts, will be available.

Speakers and Presenters:
Greg W. Clutter – Director, Chestnut Mountain Village
Senator Randy Smith – West Virginia Senate President and Senator Representing West Virginia’s 14th District
Pastor Eric Gren – Kingwood Southern Baptist Church
CarePortal Demonstration Team:
Ashley Shaffer – Child Protective Services & Youth Services Supervisor, Preston County Bureau of Preston County, WV Department of Human Services
Jane McCracken – CarePortal Ambassador, Chestnut Mountain Village

About CarePortal:
CarePortal is a technology platform that brings the needs of children and families in crisis to the attention of local churches and community members who want to help. By bridging the gap between child-serving agencies and community responders, CarePortal enables real-time, meaningful support that strengthens families and prevents unnecessary foster care placements. Learn more at www.careportal.org.

About the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS):
The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) is committed to strengthening families, promoting child welfare prevention, and ensuring the well-being of West Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens. Through strategic partnerships and innovative programs like CarePortal, DoHS works to keep families together, prevent unnecessary foster care placements, and provide essential services to children and families across the state. Learn more at humanservices.wv.gov.

About Chestnut Mountain Village:
Chestnut Mountain Village, a ministry of Chestnut Mountain Ranch, is dedicated to mobilizing churches to care for vulnerable children and families across West Virginia. As the sole implementing partner for CarePortal in the state, Chestnut Mountain Village equips churches with training, resources, and community collaboration to support foster, adoptive, and at-risk families, creating a network of care that strengthens communities and shares the Gospel in action. For more information, visit cmvwv.org.
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Faith, Family, and Community: Statewide Summit Rallies Support for West Virginia’s Foster Care System

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Premier statewide event offers continuing education for foster parents and social workers; unites faith, community, and child welfare leaders to support vulnerable children

Charleston, W.Va. — West Virginia’s premier foster care summit returns for its fourth year this spring. The 2025 All In Foster Care Summit will be held Wednesday, May 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at River Ridge Church in Charleston, bringing together child welfare professionals, church leaders, foster/adoptive families, and community advocates for a full day of equipping, educating, and engaging around foster care.

This year’s Summit theme, “A Shared Vision for Foster Care,” will focus on uniting churches, child welfare professionals, businesses, and community organizations in a collective effort to ensure that every child and family in West Virginia has the support they need to thrive.

“West Virginia has the highest per capita rate of children in foster care in the country,” said Greg Clutter, Director, Chestnut Mountain Village. “This Summit is a call to action—empowering everyday people, churches, and organizations to step into the story and provide real solutions for vulnerable children.”

The Summit will offer valuable continuing education for professionals and caregivers. Licensed social workers can earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs),and certified West Virginia foster parents will receive training certificatesfor sessions attended (Social Work CEUs sponsored by Mission West Virginia, Inc. provider #490129). These educational opportunities make the Summit an ideal event for those seeking both personal growth and professional development in the child welfare space.

Summit highlights include:

Dynamic Speakers:

  • Brian Mavis, Founder of America’s Kids Belong
  • Jamie Finn, Author and Founder of Foster the Family
  • Jason Johnson, National Director at the Christian Alliance for Orphans

Breakout Sessions & Workshops offering hands-on strategies and spiritual insight:

  • Envisioning and Designing Foster-Friendly West Virginia Communities
  • A Practical Guide to Mobilizing Your Church for Foster Care
  • Secondary Trauma & Biblical Self-Care

Collaborative Cohorts and Networking Opportunities for pastors, foster and adoptive parents, social workers, and community advocates.

Event Details:

  • Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2025
  • Time: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Coffee & Connection begins at 8:15 AM)
  • Location: River Ridge Church, Charleston, WV
  • Registration Fee: $25 per person
  • Registration Website: https://cmvwv.org/summit

Promotional videos for the summit are available at the links below:

Greg Clutter, Director, Chestnut Mountain Village

Melissa Cargill, Community Coordinator, Chestnut Mountain Village

ABOUT CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN VILLAGE: Chestnut Mountain Village (“The Village”), a ministry of Chestnut Mountain Ranch, is dedicated to creating Christ-centered communities to provide hope and homes for West Virginia’s vulnerable kids and families. To do this, the Village guides and equips West Virginia churches to care for vulnerable children and families by providing a proven, step-by-step ministry model that amplifies the Gospel, provides opportunities for spiritual growth, and involves the entire church.

ABOUT CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN RANCH: Chestnut Mountain Ranch (“the Ranch”) is a Christ-centered home and school in Morgantown, West Virginia. The Ranch reaches the hearts of young men and restores broken families through a structured, loving community. Located just six miles south of Morgantown on 300 beautiful acres, the Ranch has a vision of restoring hope to children and families by providing a place for family restoration and a safe haven for boys and families in crisis.

For media and other inquires:

Greg Clutter
Director of Chestnut Mountain Village
greg@chestnutmountainranch.org

304 612 6265