Our Story

What started in 2003 in Chicago, IL with Dave and Karen Anderson opening their heart and home to host children, has blossomed into a global movement to keep children safe and families together. Safe Families for Children (SFFC) is an evidence-based, community-driven model that seeks to reframe how families are cared for and supported when facing challenging circumstances. The goal is to provide a safe and innovative alternative for isolated parents, building strong, resilient families for every local community.

Welcome to East Tennessee

In July 2011, the first Safe Families for Children hosting event happened in Knoxville. There were eleven children hosted that year. That movement of compassion laid the foundation for churches and volunteers to open their hearts and homes, helping them meet the needs of families in East Tennessee.

Under the leadership of Safe Families for Children and through a strong collaboration of churches and local agencies, a new Circle of Support was established to support vulnerable families in East Tennessee who were navigating a crisis and needed a little help.

Since its inception, an army of volunteers, church leadership, faithful donors, and the East TN Safe Families Council have expanded the capacity and extended the reach of this vital ministry. Over 2,600 children have been hosted, and over 18,000 nights of respite have been provided to keep kids safe and loved in East Tennessee.

The East TN ministry has been a leader in innovative programs, such as a weekly Bible study for mothers at a residential rehabilitation center. The team is also constantly seeking creative partnerships that not only benefit the families they serve but also support the work of other local agencies and ministries. Their extensive collaboration with DCS, schools, mental health agencies, and over 100 local agencies in the East Tennessee region has served as a model for other programs nationwide.

Our Objectives

Family Support & Stabilization

Many isolated parents struggle because of limited informal social supports and an unavailable extended family. The Circle of Support becomes the extended family needed to support both parents and children in stabilizing their families.

Child Welfare Deflection

The Circle of Support is intended as a preventive measure. Our volunteers provide temporary housing for children, giving parents the space they need to work through a crisis, allowing them to parent well, keep their families together, and avoid the foster care system.

Child Abuse Prevention

Providing an overwhelmed and under-resourced parent with a safe, temporary place for their children without threat of losing custody, along with a Circle of Support to help navigate the crisis situation and avert potential abuse/neglect episodes.

Our Core Values

We open our hearts, our hands, and our homes. We welcome strangers into our lives to find community, hope, and belonging. Staff and volunteers are willing to host and serve others, being role models as the hands and feet of Christ.

God’s generosity is evidenced all around us. Generous people are selfless, redemptive, and sacrificial, freely giving of their time, talents, treasure, and words. Giving to others helps us tangibly practice trusting in God rather than our riches or belongings.

Fuelled by mercy, we are moved to see and act to help those in need. Compassion allows us to “see” those in need and motivates us to respond with the love of Christ. Compassion means to “suffer with” and includes a desire to help alleviate that suffering.