Mended futures for every family.
As Christians, we are called to care for orphans, widows, and those in need. That’s where FIVE18 Initiatives come in. These Initiatives explore new ways to link individuals, groups, and businesses with continued opportunities to support children and families—whether it’s community outreach, recovering orphans, or proactive intervention, as needs grow, we are continually exploring new initiatives to better serve our community and expand the reach of God’s love. Our Initiatives help you build relationships that spark real change in your community.
The Community Collaboration Team believes that the power of partnerships is at the heart of advancing Vision30.
We team up with local churches to continue to build strong communities of faithful relationships. We work with equipping churches with tools like CarePortal and encourage collaboration with their local communities to focus on prevention and reconciliation for vulnerable children and families.
Another key outreach of this team is ‘The Gathering’—a monthly meeting held on the fourth Wednesday that brings together nonprofit agencies, community professionals, and anyone passionate about strengthening families. The purpose of this time is to explore the root causes of foster care and identify ways our community can work together to address them. Each meeting concludes with intentional space for attendees to connect, share ideas, and form collaborative plans.
Collaboration isn’t always easy, but we trust in a God of abundance who multiplies our efforts. Through strong partnerships and shared purpose, we believe our collective capacity will continue to grow as we work together to accomplish this mission.
A Movement of Belonging, Healing, and Restoration
Parental presence shapes a child’s safety and sense of worth. Without it, children carry unseen burdens and navigate life without the support every family should provide.
FIVE18 Family Services recognizes this lifelong impact. Our former CEO, Robert Day—now our “Chief Executive Orphan”—is championing a movement to help every child know they belong.
Robert’s own journey included more than 35 homes, poverty, and abuse. He now leads Recovering Orphan, a new venture supporting adults healing from childhood trauma. (https://recoveringorphan.org/).
The Recovering Orphan Vision
Recovering Orphan seeks a world where children, families, and communities are truly seen, supported, and surrounded by relational care—not just systems. Real change grows through local networks, authentic relationships, and the blend of faith and practical action.
The movement aims to build a national coalition of faith-based, civic, and nonprofit partners to develop programs rooted in incarnational care—solutions grounded in presence and lived experience.
The hope is simple: A world where every child has a thriving family, strengthened by community and the church—where no one is left orphaned in spirit.
VISION30: A God-Sized Goal for Our Region
VISION30 aims to ensure that by 2030, every child in Lynchburg and the surrounding counties grows up safe—either in a family or in a caregiving setting supported by local faith communities. Healthy children and strong families are the foundation of a thriving community.
The Two Rivers Metaphor: Understanding the Journey
Children are born into different environments—healthy or unhealthy—and external challenges like addiction, homelessness, or trafficking can push them off course. Everyone—neighbors, families, churches—can make a lasting difference.
How We Are Moving Forward:
VISION30 Gatherings: Monthly meetings unite 45+ individuals from neighborhoods, organizations, and churches to collaborate and strengthen families.
Care Portal: Care Portal is an essential tool for the VISION30 initiative. The CarePortal platform connects families and faith communities to meet local needs, prevent foster care, and support reunification.
Addressing Root Causes: By understanding factors leading to foster care, we can better support at-risk families.
The Power of Prayer: At the core of VISION30 is a commitment to prayer. Prayer guides and sustains our work, reminding us that divine support is central to this mission.
Building a Stronger, Safer Future for Our Children
VISION30 is more than a goal—it’s a movement. Through prayer, collaboration, and action, we are building stronger families, safer communities, and brighter futures. By 2030, we will make this vision a reality.
Connecting Communities to Support Families
In times of overwhelming stress, families can quickly reach a breaking point. CarePortal is an innovative online platform that connects child-serving agencies with local churches, businesses, and community members ready to help—in real time.
FIVE18 uses CarePortal, partnering with churches to facilitate these critical connections in the Lynchburg, Virginia area. Through the platform, agencies post verified needs—like furniture, clothing, or car seats—and “Community Responders” can fulfill them immediately. This timely support helps prevent family separation, keeps children out of foster care, and fosters lasting relationships between families and the community.
CarePortal empowers everyday people to actively share in the well-being of vulnerable children. By connecting those who see the need with those who can help, it ensures families receive tangible, immediate support while strengthening and uniting the local network of care.
The Vital Role of Volunteers at FIVE18 Family Services
Volunteers are at the heart of FIVE18’s mission. They provide essential support that extends beyond professional services, offering both practical help and a caring presence to children and families in crisis.
One of the core ways volunteers serve is by providing short-term respite and safe care for children. This allows caregivers to address complex struggles—whether it’s navigating family challenges, financial hardship, or recovery from trauma—knowing their children are in a safe, nurturing environment.
But volunteers do more than supervise or assist; they help create a network of holistic support. Trained professionals work alongside compassionate volunteers to ensure children and families receive comprehensive care that addresses emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. Volunteers mentor, encourage, and advocate, helping families feel supported and connected to their community.
By contributing their time, energy, and heart, volunteers amplify the impact of FIVE18, making it possible to serve more families, respond to urgent needs quickly, and foster lasting change. Every volunteer plays a crucial part in helping children thrive and families heal, demonstrating that care and community truly go hand in hand.
