About Us

Safe Families for Children is a nonprofit, volunteer movement that gives hope and support to families in crisis.

Since 2003, Safe Families for Children has offered sanctuary to thousands of children, minimizing the risk for abuse or neglect and giving parents the time and tools they need to help their families thrive. The ultimate goal is to strengthen and support parents so they can become stable families for their own children.

Often problems such as drug addiction, domestic abuse, incarceration, or illness can be debilitating, making it impossible for parents to care for their children. With the changing economy many more families are experiencing financial crisis, unemployment, and homelessness. During such crises, children are especially at-risk for neglect or abuse as their parents struggle to cope with crushing circumstances and emotions.

State welfare emergency hotlines throughout the nation reportedly receive over 5 million calls each year of suspected child abuse or neglect. Of those calls, about one million meet the criteria for state intervention. Safe Families focuses on the other 4 million cases reported a year by providing families in crisis the option of having volunteer families (host families) to take care of children for a temporary period. This allows parents to have the time and space to work out their problems without having to worry about losing parental custody.

Reach out to find out how you can help make a difference in the lives of others in Lake and McHenry Counties! There are many ways to come alongside families in need.