Champion Spotlight: Families Moving Forward

The Social Mission Champion series highlights the important work done by those who are engaging in social mission by advancing health equity and addressing the health disparities of the society in which it exists.

This month, we spoke with Families Moving Forward (FMF), a community-based organization in Durham, North Carolina that helps provide families with children a stable, safe, and loving environment while they are in the temporary crisis of homelessness. Following a “housing first” approach, they provide temporary housing, case management, skills education, and connection to community resources to help parents and children thrive in stable homes. SMA recognizes that housing is a social determinant of health. Health professions educators, learners, and practitioners can learn from organizations like FMF who are addressing socio-economic inequity. Interprofessionalism is necessary in driving health equity and improving health for individuals, families, and communities.

2024 Social Mission Alliance Conference attendees had the privilege of visiting Families Moving Forward (photo to the right). They were moved by FMF’s dedication to advocating for their community members, investment in their staff, ability to engage in sustainable community partnerships, and multi-generational approach to housing sustainability.

In our interview with Families Moving Forward below, we explore the services they provide and the community, values, and vision that drives their work.

Q&A

What is your vision for Durham and what are the methods you employ to pursue it?

Our vision is for every family to thrive in a safe and stable home. To provide housing and stability equity, we employ a highly trained staff that provides support, tools, and resources to address the unique needs of both parents and children experiencing homelessness. FMF provides services such as temporary housing; age-appropriate programming focused on building personal strengths, enhancing life skills, and supporting physical, social and emotional well-being; referrals to community resources; and assistance in building individual plans and social networks to provide ongoing support. This 2-generational approach is meant to help individual families overcome both situational and systemic barriers to housing security. Additionally, for select families, a Rapid ReHousing program has been deployed to quickly move families into permanent housing, while providing many of the same support services as above.

What role do community members play in Families Moving Forward (FMF)?

Community is essential for the success of FMF. We have a committed volunteer base who serve dinners, facilitate skill development workshops, help with events, and maintain a welcoming facility. We also partner with local landlords to help our families secure permanent housing. Our community also invests in FMF financially – we receive substantial support from individuals, foundations, businesses, and religious institutions of Durham.

Conference site visitors shared that they were inspired by how FMF centers families and the community. What does it mean to FMF to advocate for your community members?

Advocacy for community members takes many different forms at FMF. We work to center our clients and their stories, experiences, and expertise in all messaging – as a means to empower those with lived experiences and to ensure that the community narrative on family homelessness is nuanced and accurate. Additionally, we work to spend time in community with other groups and organizations, partnering to address problems and identify new opportunities to better serve families experiencing homelessness and Durham.

What is the Housing First model and what does it look like in action at FMF?

The Housing First model is a method used throughout the country prioritizing rapid moves to permanent housing for households experiencing homelessness. Families Moving Forward utilizes the Housing First model, prioritizing rapid placement into permanent housing for families experiencing homelessness in Durham. Our rehousing team works closely with families to identify and address barriers to housing stability, this includes comprehensive housing assessments. We assess a household’s unique needs and challenges to develop a personalized housing plan, thus leading to quicker moves to housing. Additionally, we provide supportive services and a holistic case management approach for families. Once housed, families receive ongoing support from case managers who connect them with critical services such as counseling, employment training, etc. By prioritizing rapid housing placement and offering supportive services, FMF empowers families experiencing homelessness to achieve lasting stability and build a brighter future.

How does FMF help families address structural challenges to maintain sustainable, stable housing?

We work in community with other Continuum of Care (CoC) partners to address structural inequities. We also advocate and work to shift the narrative of family homelessness within our networks.

How does FMF effectively leverage partnerships with institutions to better serve families?

As noted earlier, FMF depends on financial support from a wide range of donors, including institutional partners such as corporate and family foundations, local businesses, and faith communities. We seek to collaborate with organizations whose philanthropic interests align with our mission. Depending on their requirements, we approach institutional partners for general operating support or funding to sustain/expand specific programming. Corporations and businesses are often invited to participate as sponsors of our signature fundraising and community awareness building series called Chefs for Change, and we partner with institutional investors when individual donors make gifts of stock or contribute via donor-advised funds. The organizations described here are FMF’s primary source of volunteers, including individuals who lead workshops on topics such as financial literacy, which promote our families self-sufficiency and long-term stability.

Conference site visitors were impressed by your staff support structure. How does FMF mitigate staff burnout?

One of the elements of FMF’s strategic plan is to make FMF a great place to work. We do this by ensuring every full time staff member is paid a living wage and has competitive benefits. This includes adequate time off policies and stipends for mental health services. We have internal committees to build community and teamwork amongst staff. Examples include participating in other volunteer opportunities in the community and fun events outside of work.

What are some of your recommendations for other organizations helping families achieve safe, permanent housing?

Other organizations, specifically family homeless shelters, should invest in the multi-generational approach by ensuring that the needs of both parents and children are met. We do this by investing in an Early Childhood Specialist who helps families secure childcare, completes developmental needs assessments with infants and toddlers, and connects families with community resources to best support their children. We also provide after school tutoring, youth enrichment workshops, teen programming, and ensure that all children are registered and attending school.

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The Social Mission Alliance would like to thank Families Moving Forward and leaders Tasha Melvin, Joe Daly, and Anna Krecklow, for taking the time to talk with us and for their continued commitment to social mission.

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