I am interested in child welfare, particularly the well-being of marginalized and disadvantaged children. I have a Masters in Social Work, and I am the liaison for The Villager Initiative, which is sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina. I focus on bridging the gap between the needs of the world and the churches' response to those needs. I do this by helping people, both inside and outside of religious establishments, design programs for children.
The idea of community-based support for children in foster care is not new. The Buncombe County Department of Social Services' "Families for Kids" program was set up to help foster children in this way.
Stephanie Morgan (MSW) of Buncombe DSS began discussing with me the need for a more personal, faith-based initiative. This led to a proposal being put before the 77th WNC Episcopal Diocesan Convention.
A resolution was passed as a challenge to all parishes in the diocese, urging participation in a program such as the Villager Initiative to assist in the support of children in foster care. Grace Church, Asheville, became the pilot village.