The Institute for Family is being built to inspire influencers, changemakers, and parents to promote family as the foundation for healthy children and strong communities. While many people value the idea of family and what it has helped them achieve, its importance is often overlooked. The Institute aims to change this. By leveraging the visceral power of authentic and compelling storytelling, we will build awareness and motivate people to act on behalf of families.

At its best, family shapes our foundational sense of love, belonging, and connection. Not only does it meet our early basic needs — shelter, food, safety, and wellbeing — it teaches us about who we are, where we come from, where we want to go, and how we will get there. As we grow older, our family experiences have a profound impact on our relationships, worldview, and success in life, creating a societal ripple effect. When we experience the unconditional love and support of family it undoubtedly has a positive impact on our lives, communities, and society. This is the true power and potential of family.

In establishing the Institute, Children’s Home Society of North Carolina (CHS) builds on 118 years of expertise in promoting the right of every child to a safe, permanent, and loving family. While CHS is focused on providing services to clients, we see the Institute as an opportunity to further our mission by addressing the broader issues that impact many types of families. We have witnessed the transformative power of family through our work in adoption, in supporting children and families in the foster care system, and in strengthening families through education and support programs. We have seen firsthand how a story well told can challenge the status quo, shift perspectives, and create real change. The Institute will expand on CHS’s groundbreaking work — and engage even more people to rally behind this critical cause.

By giving voice and power to families, the Institute will in turn engage, educate, and empower audiences to take actionable steps to give all families the best shot at success. To that end, the Institute has identified three primary areas of focus:

Educate Parents Raising Children – to provide education content and support and help them become the best parents they can be for their children
Engage Local Community Influencers – to actively promote the value of family and create more champions for families in targeted areas
Compel Transformative Changemakers – to influence policy, practice, and decision making and positively impact vulnerable families

The role of the Institute is to promote the transformative power of family for a better society. We believe our strategies and audiences hold tremendous potential for inspiring many to act within their sphere of influence.

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Institute for Family

Empower. Engage. Compel.

Institute for Family Campaigns

Past Campaigns

ENDED Campaigns

Reel Families Film Series

ENDED Campaigns

Family Stories Film Challenge

ENDED Campaigns

One Line Family Film Challenge

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