A homeless woman and her child were finally able to find a home. The problem was they had virtually nothing to put in it.
This information was shared with local and area churches through CarePortal, a technology platform that connects communities to families in need.
“The request for this family included all types of furnishings, kitchen utensils and more,” said Karma Byers, CarePortal point person at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 2101 Jackson, Great Bend. “St. Mark was able to provide a queen-sized bed that was donated and delivered as a result of CarePortal.”
This is just one example of the 58 requests at St. Mark, which joined the CarePortal network just over a year ago. So far, 15 of these requests have been honored and 50 children have benefited.
Two other examples of local requests indicate the variety of issues facing families. The requests came from a mom with several children, who were deserted by the husband/father, and a woman who has been through rehab and stayed sober for about a year.
“It is important to know that those who make requests remain anonymous,” Byers said. “I don’t even know their names.”
She also emphasized that in many cases St. Mark collaborates with other churches and approaches local businesses for help.
“St. Mark doesn’t do this alone,” she commented. “Our congregation and others are sometimes overwhelmed by the number of needs; we encourage other churches and groups to become involved.”
The next training session is set for noon Thursday, May 22 at Immaculate Conception Church in Claflin. Churches, child-welfare agencies and community members are welcome. The session takes about an hour.
Agencies that join CarePortal are called “Posting Partners,” which can post needs by email.
These local partners are: St. Francis Ministries; Healthy Families/Kansas Children’s Service League; Department of Children and Families; USD 428 Great Bend; Juvenile Services; Kansas Kids Belong; The Center for Counseling & Consultation; Family Crisis Center; USD 431 Hoisington; Barton Core Communities; The Family Initiative; USD 355 Ellinwood; and USD 112 Central Plains.
“Those who make requests are thoroughly vetted by professionals from these entities,” Byers emphasized. “The agency gets to know them and their circumstances. When they learn the request is legitimate, they pass it along.
“The priority is to keep families together in a safe place to live,” she continued. “We want to lift people up.”
More information
If an individual, business or civic group wants to make a financial donation, they may contact Hallie Cable, CarePortal regional manager, by calling 620-200-1659 or emailing hallie.cable@careportal.org.
“Financial donations would be a huge blessing,” Cable said. “Anyone can go through me if they want to ensure their contribution goes toward meeting local needs. I will make the connections for you.”
Cable supplied a brochure that outlines more CarePortal information.
“When local churches step up to meet tangible needs of local children and families in crisis, the story is just beginning,” the brochure states. “... Church members using the CarePortal platform found it increases awareness of the needs of hurting children and families in their community, increases action by making it easier to assist families and creates meaningful connections with those they help.”
Cable noted that Barton County has been involved in CarePortal for nine years, serving 2,433 children and families, and honoring 458 requests with an economic impact of $445,799.
“I am so grateful to all the Barton County churches and child-welfare agencies that have partnered with us to make a real difference in the lives of their neighbors in their community,” Cable commented. “We would love for others to join us.”
