Safe Families for Children Greater Chicago

Safe Families for Children Greater Chicago Safe Families for Children is a nonprofit, volunteer movement that gives hope and support. Safe Families is present internationally in Canada, the UK and Kenya.

Since 2003, Safe Families for Children has offered sanctuary to thousands of children, minimizing the risk for abuse or neglect and giving parents the time and tools they need to help their families thrive. The ultimate goal is to strengthen and support parents so they can become stable families for their own children. Often problems such as drug addiction, domestic abuse, incarceration, or illnes

s can be debilitating, making it impossible for parents to care for their children. With the changing economy many more families are experiencing financial crisis, unemployment, and homelessness. During such crises, children are especially at-risk for neglect or abuse as their parents struggle to cope with crushing circumstances and emotions. State welfare emergency hotlines throughout the nation reportedly receive over 5 million calls each year of suspected child abuse or neglect. Of those calls, about one million meet the criteria for state intervention. Safe Families focuses on the other 4 million cases reported a year by providing families in crisis the option of having volunteer families (host families) to take care of children for a temporary period. This allows parents to have the time and space to work out their problems without having to worry about losing parental custody. For those opening their home to a child, the process would include an application, three references, a home visit, ongoing training, and a background check. In total, you can expect the process to take about 2 months before you can be notified of your approval or denial to be a Host Family. Similarly, Safe Families partners with churches in each community they are involved with. The churches and ministries play a vital role in the community of caregivers, as it provides another source of community and sense of “extended family” to families going through the process. Safe Families also has various volunteers that help provide a well rounded support system to take care of children, such as Family Friends. Family Friends assist Host Families with anything from babysitting to providing transportation to visits with the parents. Safe Families continues to expand as more families hear about the program, providing safety nets to families locally, nationally and internationally.

06/13/2026

What an incredible day at our 4th Annual Footsteps for Families Fun Run! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃🏾‍♀️🏃🏾‍♂️💙💚💜

Today we gathered with families, church partners, supporters, volunteers, and community members to celebrate, run, laugh, and make a difference for children and families in our community. From our 1-Mile Fun Run to carnival games, live music, snow cones, hot dogs, and so much more, every smile and every step helped support the mission of serving vulnerable children and strengthening families.

As we celebrated Lydia Home’s 110-Year Anniversary, we were reminded that generations of impact are only possible because of faithful supporters like YOU. Thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, donated, and cheered us on throughout the day!

A special thank you to our amazing sponsors:
⭐ Jose Gomez with Allstate
⭐ PCMI – Your Technology Partner
⭐ U.S. Foods
⭐ Closets by Design (Paul Ridsdale)
⭐ Athletico Physical Therapy
⭐ Smilin' Clyde's Hot Dogs
⭐ Invest With Purpose LLC (IWP)
⭐ Cityview Community Church
⭐ The Shannon Family
⭐ The Hogan Family
⭐️ Pastries with a Purpose
⭐️ The Merugu Family
⭐️ Snowie Shaved Ice Delights

Thank you for helping us take more footsteps toward hope, healing, and stronger families.

And what about our Top FundraisingTeams?!

🏅Lydia / Safe Families Associate Board
🏅Grace Church
🏅Cityview
🏅 Finish Strong(Kristi Ryken team)

We couldn’t have done it without you!

Family preservation refers to the ways we can keep families together and help them thrive. By providing family-focused P...
06/11/2026

Family preservation refers to the ways we can keep families together and help them thrive. By providing family-focused PREVENTION services for families facing crisis, the goal is to improve parenting and family functioning, keep children safely at home, and prevent unnecessary involvement in foster care.

Prevention services emphasize building on a family's existing strengths while addressing underlying issues such as poverty, lack of access to basic resources, or dealing with challenging situations such as homelessness, unemployment, and a lack of child care. The overarching aim is to prevent the trauma of separation and promote long-term family stability and independence.

Our evidence-based and Family First-approved model is keeping families together! Check out our newly released Annual Report at https://bit.ly/3QjumAM to read more about how we are impacting families nationally and globally!

The Safe Families for Children (SFFC) movement is made up of thousands of amazing volunteers who step forward to open th...
06/04/2026

The Safe Families for Children (SFFC) movement is made up of thousands of amazing volunteers who step forward to open their hearts and homes to walk alongside families facing crisis. What they do is no small feat!

Meet Brad and Elizabeth, who saw God's calling to impact every aspect of their life as a Host Family, Ministry Lead, and Financial Partner with SFFC.

"We acknowledge our level of engagement is a bit unique! But we couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity it’s provided for us to see the beauty and power of God on display, for all the ways this has spiritually transformed our family, and the joy we’ve experienced as a result of being more deeply connected with Safe Families for Children and the many people tied to it."

It is because of their commitment to live out radical hospitality, disruptive generosity, and intentional compassion that helps change lives and transform communities.

Check out our newly published 2025 Annual Report that shares how God is growing the SFFC movement to serve and support more children and families.

https://simplebooklet.com/2025annualreport2048

06/03/2026

June is recognized as National Family Preservation Month with a focus on keeping families safely together.

It highlights the importance of reducing child removals, strengthening family bonds, supporting parents, and providing resources to prevent unnecessary family separation.

Key aspects of National Family Preservation Month include:

1. Focus on Family Preservation: Celebrating the efforts to keep children with their biological families, recognizing the critical work of child welfare professionals.

2. Preventing Separation: Emphasizing that, whenever safely possible, children should remain with their families to avoid the trauma of separation.

3. Support Systems: Highlighting the need for community support, resources, and services that help families thrive and stay together.

4. Awareness and Advocacy: Using the month to raise awareness about the challenges faced by families in the child welfare system.

This observance promotes a shift toward strengthening families to prevent family instability rather than react to it.

We’re looking for compassionate Family Friends to walk alongside local parents facing challenging seasons:📍 Chatham Fiel...
05/28/2026

We’re looking for compassionate Family Friends to walk alongside local parents facing challenging seasons:

📍 Chatham Fields, Chicago – Single mom of two seeking community and support while parenting children with unique needs.

📍 Calumet City – Mom of four recovering from serious medical challenges after a car accident needs a compassionate mentor and caring support system.

📍 Rainbow Beach Park, Chicago – Young single mom of toddler and infant twins looking for friendship and consistent connection.

Just 1 hour a week can make a lasting impact for a family feeling isolated and overwhelmed. A little encouragement can change everything. 🩵

📲 Call/text 773-217-8242 to learn more or get involved!

05/28/2026

The goal is simple: families staying together!🩵

UPDATE: Thanks to all of your help sharing & spreading the word we found 2 wonderful host families!! ☺️🚨 Hi Greater Chic...
05/26/2026

UPDATE: Thanks to all of your help sharing & spreading the word we found 2 wonderful host families!! ☺️

🚨 Hi Greater Chicago family, this is Rhyan from Intake! 🚨 We have an urgent need for a sweet mom and her 4 beautiful children ages 8, 6, 2, and 1. She is expecting baby #5 and could give birth ANY DAY now. She has a history of early labor and is already experiencing symptoms today.

Right now, her biggest fear is that if she goes into labor, she has NO ONE to care for her children. The only alternative would be DCFS involvement.

We are looking for:
• 1 host family for the two oldest children (ages 8 & 6)
• 1 host family for the two youngest children (ages 2 & 1)

⏳ Hosting would be for NO MORE THAN ONE WEEK. If you can help please call/text Rhyan at 773–217-8242 ASAP!

Mom has such STRONG FAITH during this time but we need YOU to be her answered prayer! Help keep these children safe so that mom can focus on bringing her newest blessing into the world! 🙏

Stabilizing a family facing crisis and unmanageable circumstances is about reducing immediate stress, building relations...
05/26/2026

Stabilizing a family facing crisis and unmanageable circumstances is about reducing immediate stress, building relationships, and strengthening the family unit. It’s not about changing everything but creating enough stability and space so they can find their footing again as a family and move forward TOGETHER.

It is about standing in the gap and providing a network of resources and relationships so families can get back on their feet and thrive!

It's not too late to join us next Wednesday! Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lunch-learn-hosting-whole-famili...
05/22/2026

It's not too late to join us next Wednesday! Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lunch-learn-hosting-whole-families-radical-hospitality-in-action-tickets-1988785985419?aff=oddtdtcreator

What if the most powerful form of hospitality is welcoming an entire family? ❤️Join us for our next Lunch & Learn to explore how Safe Families supports volunteers who open their homes to families in crisis!

For more details & to RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lunch-learn-hosting-whole-families-radical-hospitality-in-action-tickets-1988785985419?aff=oddtdtcreator

Address

4300 W Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL
60641

Telephone

+17736532200

Website

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