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CHANGING MINDS AND CULTURE REGARDING FAMILY CARE
GLOBAL network Thought Leadership from Collaborate
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Collaborate A FORUM FOR GLOBAL LEADERS
CAFO Collaborate workshops initiate conversations about effective care for orphans and vulnerable children within developing local church and NGO networks around the world. These workshops generate ideas to: • creatively share information • involve more churches and individuals, • equip local churches for more effective care of vulnerable children in their communities. During Collaborate 2018, over 120 global leaders from 33 nations brainstormed about to shifting cultural mindsets within their nations towards Family Care. This publication is a summary of those discussions.
The number of children currently in the care of orphanages and other institutions worldwide is overwhelming. Weak family structures, insufficient support systems, cultural stigmas around orphans, street children and caring for a non-biological child prevent many families from volunteering, reducing the available homes for placement. Some families willingly place their children in orphanages to provide better education, nutrition, or housing. In addition, many nations do not have fully developed laws covering alternative Family Care, so adoption and/or foster care solutions are not successfully implemented. Collaborate leaders discussed how to begin changing minds of key stakeholders within their nations regarding Family Care, and encourage their church communities to embrace and support families opening their hearts and homes to children. Those discussions identified the following keys for local networks of churches and NGOs to consider as they develop plans to Change Minds within their own contexts.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
WHAT IS FAMILY CARE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 KEY CONCEPTS FOR FAMILY CARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 KEY STAKEHOLDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 KEY COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 KEY QUALITIES OF ADVOCATES AND LEADERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 KEY SCRIPTURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
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WHAT IS FAMILY CARE? Scripture and science agree that children develop best in families. Yet around the world, millions of children are being raised within institutions, on the street and outside of family provision and protection. Family Care begins with strengthening families and reintegrating separated children with their biological families. Family Care also includes formal and informal care of children outside of parental care, including Kinship Care (children placed with grandparents, older siblings, extended family, or other relatives), Foster Care (temporary or permanent placement with an unrelated family) and Adoption (permanent placement in a family).
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KEY CONCEPTS FOR FAMILY CARE One of the most important steps when changing minds about Family Care is identifying the important foundational concepts for key stakeholders to understand, as they begin changing their own minds and the minds of others they influence. Children Belong in Families Both the Bible and social science affirm that the ideal environment for children is a safe, permanent family. When not possible for a child to live with biological family, an alternative family placement like adoption or foster care is preferable. Caring for children in families is God’s design. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God commands His people to care for the orphans and widows. Functioning Family A functioning family is where the child’s needs are met, the family is stable, and children are nurtured and protected. Effective networks ensure that families are able to provide all of these things by engaging churches and organizations dedicated to community and economic development, counseling, social work, and required support systems. Cost / Care Family Care tends to be more cost-effective than other residential alternatives. While transitioning existing institutions to Family Care may increase costs in the short-term, it is a much more efficient use of funds for ongoing care of children.
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Quality of Care Parents are more likely to give children the individual attention, nurture, loving guidance and quality of care they need than institutional models of care. Support Families may be supported through multiple entities, including government programs, community agencies and local church ministries. Family Care models allow the local community to provide holistic care for the family, through wrap-around care models within a local church, offering food assistance, tutoring by community/ church members, marriage counseling from local pastors, and family guidance from community-based social workers. Church The local church in every nation possesses both the Christian mandate and many resources needed to care for local orphans in a nurturing, relationship-rich environment. Every initiative to care for orphans should prioritize and honor the role of the local church, carefully pairing with it resources that may be necessary, with local believers willing to open their hearts and homes to orphans in their community.
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KEY STAKEHOLDERS Local networks must identify the categories of stakeholders to engage as they change minds and culture toward Family Care. There are many individuals as well as groups that should collaborate toward effective local solutions and support. Communities Working Together Successful networks combine local church resources along with local community organizations as well as governmental authorities. While the government can marshal resources and programs for education, legislation and social welfare, it simply cannot provide the love and nurture that only a family can give. Combining government resources and guidance, local organizations’ expertise and services, and the inherent support system that comprises the local church will enable holistic care of children and support of families. Importance of Stakeholder Involvement Local stakeholders should not only be given information and education, but invited into the conversation to collaborate on solutions. Stakeholder involvement in collaborative groups develops the vision, establishes ownership and unites an alliance to serve the local needs of children and families. A healthy local alliance may influence public attitudes, legislation, partner businesses and donors, as well as inspire local churches and community organizations to work together for sustainable solutions that reflect and strengthen the culture and community. Leaders from Multiple Disciplines Local leaders from many different backgrounds and occupations are required to effect lasting change of mindset. These should include: • Pastors • Community Leaders • Local Influencers • NGO Leaders • Teachers
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• Social Workers • Journalists • Peer Mentors • Adults and Children • Care Leavers
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KEY QUALITIES OF ADVOCATES AND LEADERS To change minds, local advocates and leaders must have certain qualities and traits. Heart for Ministry Ideally, local faith leaders will have a reputation for compassionate hearts, protective natures, flexible collaboration with others, empathy, and enduring and consistent service within the local community. Qualities Local leadership should include individuals that exhibit the ability to both lead and to follow, and an understanding of when to do each. They will demonstrate a willingness to learn and display persistence through adversity. Local leaders are influenced by action, trained and qualified, reflect solid character and are passionate for justice and mercy. Everyone has an Important Role Not everyone is called to adopt or foster, but all are called to do something. Identify all of the roles that are available within your local network, and allow individuals to serve in those roles. These may include technology, speaking, organizational skills, writing and creative design, legal understanding, facilitation, and teaching. You may also need people to drive, make meals, pray with parents and families, counsel, tutor, or many other opportunities that your teams may define to effectively support children and families.
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KEY COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES Multiple strategies must be implemented to change minds and cultures within churches and local communities. Orphan Sunday National campaigns, like Orphan Sunday, may involve local churches and communities by engaging them on a dedicated day to join others around the world as they raise awareness and inspire action to serve the fatherless in their midst. Free resources available at cafo.org/orphansunday. Personal Relationships Nothing is as effective as sharing your heart with a friend, challenging them to see vulnerable children with God’s eyes and discussing how they may personally make a difference in the life of a local child or family. Social Media The advent of Facebook, WhatsApp, and other social media platforms offers the ability to reach a wide variety of people and start conversations. Ideal applications for social media include sharing success stories, entry-level opportunities to serve and encouragement to learn more. Professional Media Local or national TV, radio and print news may cover stories of life change or promote national campaigns such as Orphan Sunday. Professional media should not be the primary strategy for communication but reserved for special stories, events or campaigns that have broad influence, including well-defined calls to action supported by respected organizations.
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KEY SCRIPTURES
Psalm 68:5-6 A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families... Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this; to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Ephesians 1:4-5 For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will...
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Psalm 146:9 The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked. Romans 8:15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Matthew 25:40 The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Psalm 82:3 Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
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cafo.org/global
Š 2018 Christian Alliance for Orphans