“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
This spring, more than 200 people gathered at the All In Foster Care Summit around one big idea. Stronger support for vulnerable children and families will take all of us.
Since then, we’ve watched that idea continue to take shape across West Virginia. Churches are stepping into new roles through Family Advocacy Ministry, with FAM activities like CarePortal reaching more communities. New relationships are forming between church leaders, child welfare professionals, nonprofits, families, and community leaders.
But the real story is not about programs, events, or even numbers. It is about what happens when people decide to show up, bring what they have, and do their part.
That is how stronger communities are built.
At Chestnut Mountain Village, we envision a West Virginia where there is “More Than Enough” support for vulnerable children and families. That support is needed before, during, and beyond foster care. We also know that no one church, organization, agency, or individual can provide everything children and families need.
It takes a community.
From Summit to Action
That belief shaped this year’s All In Foster Care Summit. Our theme, “Building the Way Together,” challenged us to move beyond awareness and good intentions toward shared responsibility, stronger relationships, and practical action.
The Summit brought together church leaders, child welfare professionals, families, foster alumni, nonprofit and community leaders, and national voices. They gathered around a common goal: stronger support for West Virginia’s children and families.
The real test, however, comes after everyone goes home.
This summer, we have been encouraged by the ways churches and communities have continued taking next steps.
Family Advocacy Ministry in Action
One important part of that work is Family Advocacy Ministry, or FAM. A FAM gives a local church a simple framework for organizing its people. It helps them care for vulnerable children and families in practical, meaningful ways. Each church can build its FAM around its people, gifts, capacity, and community. FAM activities can include Care Communities, CarePortal, foster family support, family events, support for child welfare professionals, and more.
In June, CarePortal, one of those FAM activities, expanded into Barbour County. CarePortal connects child-serving professionals who encounter verified needs with local churches that want to help. As of September 1, CarePortal was active in six West Virginia counties. It had helped serve 618 children and helped generate more than $221,000 in community impact.
Those numbers are encouraging, but they represent something much more personal: local professionals identifying needs and churches and volunteers stepping forward to help meet them.
Building Local Connections
In July, pastors and church leaders from Monongalia County gathered over breakfast to learn more about Family Advocacy Ministry and consider how their churches might begin or deepen this work. Some were learning about CarePortal and other FAM activities. Others were simply asking an important first question: “What could our church do?”
Those conversations matter. Strong communities often begin before a ministry launches or a need is met. They begin when people come together, listen, learn, and consider the part they can play.
We saw that same willingness in August when The Village hosted a Faith and Foster Care Awareness Luncheon in the Eastern Panhandle. Pastors, church leaders, child welfare professionals, nonprofits, and community partners gathered to build relationships and explore how the faith community can better support children and families throughout the region. Our goal is to launch CarePortal in the three easternmost counties in West Virginia over the next several months.
Everyone Can Do Something
On the surface, a statewide Summit, a CarePortal launch, a pastors breakfast, and a regional luncheon may look like four very different things.
But underneath them is the same thing: people choosing to come together, understand their part, and show up for children and families.
That is what we want to see growing across West Virginia.
Communities where families know they are not alone. Families in crisis can find practical help and meaningful relationships. Child welfare professionals can know churches and community partners they can trust. And churches can understand the needs around them and have clear ways to respond.
Not everyone is called to foster. Every church will serve in different ways. Not everyone works in child welfare.
But everyone can do something.
And when each of us brings our “something,” we can build communities across West Virginia that truly show up for children and families.
Whether you are a church leader, volunteer, foster or adoptive family, child welfare professional, community partner, or simply someone who wants to help, there is a place for you in this work.
Let us help you find your next step.