In looking at charities, I’ve seen many (and selected a few as candidates for our spotlight) that are focused on finding a soft landing for broken families. Today’s charity in Alabama, the Children’s Aid Society of Alabama has a slightly different focus.
Their goal is to keep families together wherever possible. As such their programs are structured around restoration. Through numerous programs, Children’s Aid society helps to build solid family foundations for it’s organizations beneficiaries. Where it (or other) systems have failed to hold the family together they also provide services to help ensure the members of broken families are put in a position to succeed in life going forward.
Perhaps my favorite program is the Independent Living Program; where “Youth in the foster care system are taught independent living skills such as career counseling, budgeting, healthy decision making and managing responsibilities.” 14 and 15 year old children who are chosen, attend a “Camp Life” weekend camp to hone these skills as well as develop relationships with other youth.
The Family Partners Program is focused on providing the intensive case management necessary to help struggling families preserve their unity during turbulent times when children may be at risk to be taken from the home (or of abuse). “Family Partners’ Family Support Workers and Therapists deliver comprehensive services aimed at decreasing and managing family stressors that may include: financial problems, limited resources, unemployment, transportation needs, and limited parenting skills.”
CAS has, over the years, provided a wide range of services including “A Baby’s Place” for children with HIV founded in the 80’s and later “Project Dads” to help teen fathers learn how to parent. In 2015 they served nearly 16,000 individuals and provided in-home services toward preserving the family to over 2,800 people.
There is much more to see, and you can check it all out at their web site.