Celebrate Families is an annual dinner that celebrates family reunification.
One of RaisingHOPE’s values is to support families of origin that are working to reunify with their children. Studies show that children do better having a connection with their biological family.
When families go into the child welfare system, the court requires them to do a number of things to reunify with their children, such as counseling, a drug treatment program, domestic violence counseling, and having positive regular visits. It’s a huge feat, given that many of these families work several jobs and don’t have reliable transportation. These families are working against enormous odds and breaking patterns of behavior that may have been in their family for generations.
But once it happens, their case is simply closed and there is little if any tribute for what they have accomplished.
Overcoming the odds and making these homes safe for their children to return is something RaisingHOPE wants to celebrate and that’s what Celebrate Families is for. It’s a dinner that honors families that have reunified with their children. We want to support these families and show them that their success is of value to us. This helps them see that there are other families that have gone through the same journey so that they can be a support to each other and help ensure there is not a repeat pattern of bad behavior.
Celebrate Families also honors the social workers who help make reunifications happen.