From Faith to Action: Supporting Families in Need

I recently had a conversation about the rising costs of everyday expenses, and one point that caught my attention was the high cost of childcare for families with two working parents. I think it's worth exploring ways that our community can support families in this regard, and perhaps bring this topic to the attention of local churches. I would like to discuss a potential solution that could make a difference, without debating the pros and cons of mothers working.

I most certainly acknowledge that I am not an expert on this topic. But I've gained a ton of insight through raising my three cousins and being surrounded by mothers who share their experiences with me. I am definitely aware of the challenges they face, and I'm all for thinking of ways to help those in need. I'm also open to discussing the reasons why this might not be feasible within the church.

While it may not be a perfect fit for every church, I believe it has the potential to be an option for some. Many people seek comfort and support within the church, and as a result, they may look for additional help and resources from the congregation. I was thinking about a way to help those struggling families and one idea stood out to me.

A possible approach could be for churches to consider starting a daycare program for free or at a low cost. During my childhood, my church had a nursery area where I would often volunteer to help with the younger children. The space was equipped with a variety of amenities, including toys, a mini kitchen, cabinets filled with diapers/food. There was also entertainment options like VeggieTales, as well as a preparation area for brides-to-be.

Unfortunately, it eventually went away, but to this day I appreciate the concept. It was incredibly inspiring and I loved being a part of it as a kid. By reaching out to the churches that have successfully implemented such a program, we could learn from their experiences. I think this has great potential and would be a wonderful way to support families in the community.

The cost of daycare is a part of it that makes me sad to talk about. It can be shocking, with prices ranging from $1,000 to over $2,000 a month, depending on the location, number of kids, age of your kids, and facility size. It's not only financially unsustainable, but it's downright ridiculous.. I believe that churches have a unique opportunity to do something about this and possibly consider a way to help out.

And as Christians, I believe we should think about devoting more time to helping others. It doesn't even need to be financially or through the program idea. Sometimes, even a simple conversation with the pastor or a fellow church member can be a powerful way to help. I understand that the church can't solve every problem... I just think it's valuable to explore the ways they can make a difference.

I'm also aware that there are many complexities involved, including funding, but I'm not saying that I have all the answers. My intention with this post is to encourage you to bring this up with your church. You might feel hesitant to ask, but taking the leap could lead to surprising and potentially life-changing outcomes.

My heart is consumed with the desire to help as many people as I can and this is a common issue that I think about. It truly is heart breaking to me and I want to think about solutions. If your church is already offering similar support to families, I'd appreciate learning more about their initiatives. Please send a message through the contact page to tell me all about it!