Our work in Idaho restarted April 1 with the opening of Safe Families for Children in Treasure Valley. The child abuse-prevention program has 128 chapters nationally, including an established LCS chapter in Oregon.
Safe Families works to keep children safe and families together in times of crisis. It is a faith-informed volunteer movement motivated by compassion, generosity and hospitality – the love of stranger!
LCS is mobilizing a network of volunteers to help families in their moment of need. Families host children and provide a network of support while parents in need are given the time to get back on their feet. In addition to Host Families, there are Family Friends and Family Coaches who connect parents to resources and offer support.
All roles are volunteers who come from participating churches. Volunteers receive training and Host families must pass background checks. A family in need can choose to place their child in another families’ loving care from a day to six months; families can also receive support services without placing their children.
A family crisis could be anything from a single parent having surgery and needing care for their children; to a parent facing eviction and needing help while they find a home; to a teenager who can no longer stay at home and needs a safe place to continue school.
“Our church volunteers are the heart and soul of what we do” Idaho District Director Jessica Ruehrwein said prior to the launch. “Our goal is to build a safety net where kids are loved and parents are strengthened so they can be in a better place to care for their families.”
“We are really excited about doing God’s work” said Lisa Kraft from King of Glory Lutheran. Lisa serves on the LCS Board of Directors and on the local Safe Families Leadership team. “There hasn’t been a more critical time for churches to adopt this ministry and radically change the way we care for those who are facing difficult circumstances.”
In September of 2019, Jessica was hired to restart LCS services in Idaho. She was charged with opening a program that addressed a community need. A community assessment identified a need to help families through a crisis before they spiral out of control or into foster care.
The LCSNW office is located here at Redeemer Lutheran Church. The Safe Families program is currently seeking volunteers, host families, and other support! If you or your family would like to learn more, visit safe-families.org or email safefamiliestv@lcsnw.org to sign up for an online informational meeting or to receive our monthly e-newsletter. (Office phone: 208-509-2431).
