Building Families for Children

10/29/2026

🍂 Hayrides, bonfires, and time together! 🔥

Our Fall Festival was a wonderful opportunity for our families to come together, enjoy the beauty of the season, and make memories along the way!

From enjoying a hayride around the farm and gathering by the bonfire for s’mores and hot dogs to sharing plenty of laughs during the whipped cream pie-eating contest, the evening was full of fun, connection, and meaningful moments together as a community.

At Building Families for Children, we believe that supporting children and families goes beyond the everyday work. It also means creating opportunities for connection, building relationships, and reminding our foster families that they are part of a caring community.

A big thank-you to everyone who helped make this special day possible! Especially Larriland Farms ❤️

10/22/2026

Not everyone is called to host, and that's okay. Family Friends and Family Coaches surround both host families and parents with mentoring, meals, rides and encouragement. It takes a circle to keep a family together. Which part of the circle are you?

https://buildingfamiliesforchildren.org/sffc/

10/21/2026

October is Pastor Appreciation Month! 💙 Thank you to the pastors who lead churches that open their homes and hearts to Maryland's vulnerable children and families. Your faithfulness reaches further than you know.

"Esteem them very highly in love because of their work." (1 Thessalonians 5:13, ESV)

Tag a pastor who's made a difference! 👇

10/19/2026

Save the date! 💛

Join us for the Ignite Hope Benefit Dinner—an evening celebrating faith, hope, and family.

🗓 Saturday, April 24, 2027
🕕 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 The Ballroom at DoubleTree by Hilton
5485 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045

We look forward to welcoming you! Additional details and ticket information to follow.

10/16/2026

A few of our Safe Families Maryland staff had the chance to attend the Safe Families for Children national conference in Wisconsin last week. They came home refreshed, encouraged, and inspired, and we've loved hearing their stories.

Every day, our team walks alongside parents in crisis so children stay safe and families stay together. It was a gift for them to be poured into and to be reminded that they're part of a movement bigger than any one of us.

Thank you to everyone who prays for, volunteers with, and gives to Safe Families Maryland. You make this work possible. 💙

Last week, we gathered as a staff for our annual 2026 Conference in beautiful Wisconsin! What an incredible time of inspiration, encouragement, and vision-casting as we move, mobilize, and multiply as the Safe Families movement!

We are blessed with passionate, gifted leaders who care deeply about their communities and the parents they walk alongside daily to keep children safe and families together!

Movement. Mobilize. Multiple.

10/14/2026

10/14/2026

🎄 Help bring holiday joy to children and families! 🎁

Building Families for Children is collecting $25 gift cards through November 16 for Giant, Aldi, Target, Walmart, and Amazon. These cards help families choose holiday gifts for their children, and this year the need is greater than ever.

You can have gift cards delivered directly to our office or arrange an in-person drop-off. Please message us to coordinate a drop-off, and invite friends, family, your faith community, or workplace to join in. Every gift card helps! ❤️

09/23/2026

As part of the Howard County Mental Health Alliance, we strive to strengthen our collective resilience and support mental health in our communities.

That's why we're co-hosting Hopeful Voices: Showcasing Stories and Art of Mental Health and Wellness. Join us for an afternoon of personal stories, art, and connection. The event is free and we will share a community meal together.

📆 Saturday, September 26, 2026 ⏰ 2–6 PM
East Columbia 50+ Center

Thank you to all our partners who made this event possible: [TAG PARTNERS — see Section 3]

Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/hopefulvoiceshoco

09/21/2026

Please join us at the BFC office (7142 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 170), on September 24, 2026. Use the signup link below or scan the QR code on the flyer to select a time and work area that work best for you. This will be the first of many monthly volunteer days to come. We look forward to getting together! Volunteer Day

09/16/2026

Storytelling is a powerful tool to spark conversation, build connection, and reduce stigma.

Join us on Saturday, September 26, 2–6 PM, for Hopeful Voices: Showcasing Stories and Art of Mental Health and Wellness at the East Columbia 50+ Center. The afternoon will feature powerful personal stories about mental health and wellness from local advocates and community members. We will also share a meal together, view art from local artists, and share conversation and resources.

The event is free and open to all.

Learn more and register here: https://bit.ly/hopefulvoiceshoco