“CarePortal isn’t just a tool; it’s a lifeline. CarePortal meets families' needs in ways I could never achieve alone. Knowing there's a compassionate community out there, eager to uplift the families I serve, fills me with immense strength, hope, and joy. CarePortal’s reach extends even further than the direct support to families; it has also profoundly impacted me personally. When I've faced personal challenges, like being ill, I've received heartfelt messages and prayers. There was a particularly difficult week when I was grieving the tragic passing of close family friends. Two responders, completely unaware of my personal struggle, reached out, simply asking how they could pray for me. Their thoughtful compassion offered a profound comfort during a challenging time, truly showcasing the supportive community CarePortal fosters for both families and caseworkers. CarePortal is a light in the darkness to child welfare workers.”
-Taylor Collins, SafeCare Lead Parent Educator with the Safe Children Coalition
Recently, individuals from local child serving agencies, churches, businesses, and the community who care about our most vulnerable children gathered to celebrate “5 Years of CarePortal in Circuit 12!” It was a sweet time of reflection, celebration, and gratitude for the impact this program has had on so many.
A Tremendous Start
When our network met its very first CarePortal request on June 4, 2021, no one knew just how profoundly, or how quickly, it would transform our community! You rejoiced with us when a case study by the Safe Children’s Coalition, Circuit 12’s primary Community Based Care organization, revealed that after just one year of CarePortal being implemented, there was a staggering 60% reduction in children entering out of home care! Agency workers remarked about how amazing it was to see the “community working together to meet the needs of families who cannot do it themselves;” and church leaders were grateful to have a way to “help others feed the soul. Theirs and ours.”
The impact quickly expanded beyond material needs to deep relational connection. Church responders began locking arms with agency workers, ensuring they knew they were not alone in the fight to protect children. Churches learned that “our local welfare counselors are true professionals” and realized “what a privilege it was to get to know them and learn from them.” Concurrently, agencies came to trust that churches were working with them to “show families that the community is here for them.”
By year three, there were also seven Community Champions who had committed to serving alongside the 26 responding churches to fund and provide the needed items for children and families. This collective effort allowed for 2,229 children to be served in Circuit 12 by the end of the 3rd year of CarePortal.
Award-Winning Impact
Others noticed the uniqueness of our network and how abundantly God had blessed it, and Circuit 12 was named the 2023 National CarePortal Network of the Year for bringing together churches, agencies, community champions, and other partners for the common goal of “more than enough care for every child.”
What truly sets our network apart is the depth of the relationships that have been built. Over and over, agency workers report that the 33 responding churches continually “demonstrate genuine compassion and understanding of the family’s safety and immediate needs.” Upon reflection on a specific request that was met, one agency worker shared, “The connection was meaningful, impactful, and left a lasting impression on both the family and my experience serving them through CarePortal.” The 15 Community Champions show up time and time again to meet the needs of these children by providing the funds and items these families need to keep their home safe and stable. Because of the partnerships through CarePortal, more than 4,533 children have been served by our community.
Looking to the Next 5 Years
Why are we all a part of this work being done? In James 1:27, we are called to care for children and keep them safe. One church leader said it this way, “If you wonder what God’s will is for you, it’s this-serve orphans and widows.”
CarePortal beautifully illustrates how our community joins together to ensure every child knows they are seen, cared for, and deeply loved. We look forward with anticipation to how God will bless this collective partnership over the next five years.