Family-serving organizations from across South Carolina gathered in Columbia for the annual summit of the S.C. Family Support Network, convened by Children’s Trust of South Carolina to bring together members who work directly with families in their local communities. 

Alek Reaves, director of partner and family engagement at Children’s Trust, explains the purpose of the Family Support Network: “It exists to build the capacity of organizations serving families statewide by promoting best practices, quality standards, peer learning, and collaborative programming.”

Members represent a range of community-based services and supports, and the network strengthens the systems and processes families rely on within their communities.  

“The summit is a reminder that we do not do this work alone. Prevention happens through partnership and lasting change happens when we work together,” Reaves emphasized.   

As a member of the National Family Support Network, Children’s Trust promotes nationally recognized quality standards, with the shared goal that every caregiver, parent and child has access to quality family support services. That work is guided by core principles of community, family-centeredness, interconnection and belonging. 

This summit offered a full agenda of learning and connection for attendees. Stacey Friedman, coalition manager with the national Family Resource Center Coalition and director of advocacy and engagement with Center Road Solutions, offered a federal policy for family support work.

Mary Dell Hayes, founder and principal with StopGap Solutions, addressed the group on nonprofit fundraising and board engagement, including practical ways artificial intelligence can support and streamline fundraising efforts, a timely topic as organizations seek new tools to sustain their work.

Dr. Matthew Lewis led a session on strategic storytelling, equipping members with approaches to communicate their programs’ impact more effectively. 

Reaves continued, “When family support organizations come together like this, everyone leaves stronger. Whether it’s learning from a national expert, picking up practical fundraising tools, or finding new ways to tell our stories, these connections ripple out to deliver better services for families across South Carolina. Ultimately, this Summit is about using both evidence and stories to build understanding, inspire investment, and secure and sustain the resources families and communities need to thrive.” 

The Family Support Network meets regularly, both in person and virtually, providing members with opportunities to share updates, exchange best practices, and build their skills. These gatherings are designed to help member organizations deliver the highest-quality services to the families they serve, regardless of their location in South Carolina.