Faithful Families Thriving Communities (Faithful Families) works directly in  communities of faith across the country to promote health for individuals, families, and local communities. The research-tested program is open to all faith and religious traditions and engages faith communities in health education, environmental changes to support health, and community-wide health initiatives.

OUR VISION

Faithful Families believes that communities of faith are important health advocates, particularly in communities that lack access to crucial resources. That’s why we are here to empower faith communities as they become changemakers in helping their communities thrive – physically, mentally, and spiritually.

OUR WORK

Faithful Families builds on the connection between health and faith at multiple levels of the socioecological model – through individuals, interpersonal relationships, organizational policies and practices and environment, and the broader community. The program trains and brings together facilitators (nutrition and health educators) and Lay Leaders (non-clergy members) to co-deliver the program in faith settings.

Lay Leaders

Lay Leaders are vital to the program’s success, as they help to ground health messages in the community’s faith and religious tradition. Lay Leaders are trained to promote the program, co-teach the curriculum, act as liaisons between the health educator and the faith leaders, promote individual and organizational changes, connect their faith communities to resources, and help the faith community extend their reach into the local community.

Program Components

Over the course of the program, Faithful Families engages each faith community in direct peer education, policy and environmental supports, and community engagement.