Last Thursday, the Church of the Fellowship hosted a celebration marking the fifth anniversary of CarePortal, a program dedicated to linking churches with families in crisis.Over the past five years, Roanoke’s Care Portal initiative has made a substantial economic and community impact, providing vital resources to families and children in need. The initiative has generated over $2.4 million in economic benefits in the Roanoke Valley alone, with 70 church response teams actively participating in outreach efforts.
Since its inception, Roanoke’s program has paved the way for similar efforts across Virginia. Statewide, the Care Portal initiative has provided assistance to 12,908 children, with an economic impact exceeding $5.1 million. Currently, 355 church response teams are involved across the state, demonstrating the initiative’s growing influence in meeting community needs.
Community members, churches, and partner organizations came together to celebrate CarePortal’s success. Attendees included representatives from Roanoke City and County Departments of Social Services, as well as key partners such as Great Expectations. Participants were recognized for their contributions to strengthening the social safety net through faith-based and community partnerships.
One particularly moving testimony came from Theo, a Care Portal recipient who shared his personal journey. “I was struggling and needed a bed for my son,” Theo recounted. “Meredith and her husband brought one to my house, and we ended up talking for a while. They invited me to church, and my sons loved it. We’ve been going ever since.”
Theo’s story highlights the program’s profound impact beyond material support—it fosters lasting relationships and community bonds. Having grown up in foster care and facing challenges from an early age, Theo expressed gratitude for the Care Portal’s role in his life. “It was God who sent them to my house,” he said.
Former regional manager until 2023, Ray Moore, spent years working to bridge the gap between those in need and those who can help.
“CarePortal operates in 37 states, using technology to connect churches with struggling families, many at risk of entering the foster care system. The foster care landscape continues to evolve, shifting from orphanages to foster homes, and now focusing on preventive support. The statistics are staggering—70% of children in foster care enter not due to abuse but because of poverty. Many could remain with their families if they had the right support,” Moore said.
“Mothers who desperately want to care for their children but lack the financial means. Sometimes, a mother lives just a few doors down from a church willing to help, yet they remain strangers, “ said Moore. CarePortal aims to change that, fostering connections that go beyond material aid and build lasting relationships.
During his time as regional manager, Moore taught churches an essential lesson: real help is not a one-time act. A box of diapers does not solve a mother’s ongoing struggle. Churches must go beyond immediate relief and commit to long-term engagement. The learning curve for generosity is steep, requiring a shift from transactional aid to transformational support. From small gestures to life-changing commitments like fostering and adoption, churches play a critical role in providing stability for vulnerable children.
At the same time, those who step up to help face their own struggles. Foster parents, despite their best intentions, often feel overwhelmed. Statistics show that half of all foster parents quit within their first year. The same is true for social workers, many of whom burn out under the pressure. Without proper support, the system continues to fail the very children it seeks to protect.
Moore recalls one CarePortal request for a family that had no access to clean water and needed a well drilled—a $4,000 expense. Within 30 minutes of sending out an email, a small house church with just 12 members donated $1,300.” By the end of the day, they had raised $7,000. The well is drilled, the family gets clean water, and a community comes together in a way that embodies the very purpose of CarePortal,” Moore remarked.
The event concluded with words of appreciation for all who contribute to CarePortal’s ongoing success. From church volunteers to agency representatives and donors, each plays a vital role in supporting children and families in crisis.
With Roanoke leading the charge, the Care Portal initiative continues to expand, touching lives across Virginia and beyond. As it grows, so too does its mission: to connect those in need with compassionate community members ready to make a difference.
