The Philadelphia based Family Finding program, operated by Turning Points for Children, is a program that identifies relatives and other supportive adults, that may be estranged or unknown to the child, that are willing to become permanent connections for them.
Making these critical connections seeks to build or maintain the youth’s lifetime family network of support. It fosters a sense of belonging and develops permanent relationships which build resilience for youth in or at-risk of being in foster care.
In a recent case, our team was asked to help two sisters, ages 12 and 15, who were in jeopardy of being separated after the loss of their father.
Through persistence, countless conversations, and much outreach, our staff identified and confirmed 11 supportive adults—a mix of biological family members and chosen connections. Thanks to this network of care, the sisters were able to stay together and now have a strong circle of support that includes their grandmother, and members of their father’s family.
Since 2010, the Philadelphia Family Finding program has located almost 200,000 connections, and 24,000 of them have become a permanent fixture in the child’s life.
We kicked off summer with our Hello Summer Festival in partnership with the Omega Mu Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority. With cotton candy on deck, a few inflatables, art activities, sports, and, of course, a DJ and dancing to create the magic, it was a day full of joy and connection.
Events like this do more than create smiles (though there were plenty of those!)—they help our families feel connected, supported, and celebrated.
A big thank you to AKA Omega Mu Omega and all who helped make the day so special—and to you, our donors, for making moments like this possible.
