KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Michigan News Source) – CarePortal is a national platform that connects child welfare professionals with local churches and community members to meet the urgent needs of children and families in crisis. In Michigan and across the country, this innovative approach has become a vital tool in strengthening families and preventing unnecessary foster care placements.
Through CarePortal, child-serving professionals can submit requests for essential items or services – such as beds, car repairs, or transportation assistance – which are then shared with nearby churches and individuals who can respond directly. This real-time connection ensures that help reaches those in need swiftly and efficiently.
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The child-serving professionals are people working in child welfare, education, law enforcement, community help centers, and other places where they interface with vulnerable children and families.
Real stories of impact in Michigan.
A recent post on the CarePortal website highlighted a young mother in Grand Rapids determined to build a better life for her two sons. Her progress hit a major roadblock when her car broke down, making it nearly impossible to attend classes or manage daily responsibilities. That’s when members of Crossroads Bible Church stepped in, covering the cost of repairs and helping her regain her independence and stability.
There was also a family with three children in Zeeland, including an adoptive placement, who encountered a transportation crisis due to costly vehicle repairs. To ensure the children could continue attending school, CarePortal facilitated the provision of Uber gift cards. Local churches collaborated to cover the expenses, demonstrating the power of community support.
Faith communities leading the way.
In West Michigan, CarePortal’s presence owes much to the dedication of women leaders from various churches who prayed and worked together to bring the platform to their region. Their efforts have mobilized faith communities to actively participate in addressing the needs of vulnerable families.
In an April 2024 Facebook post, they shared that over two years, they had served 3,520 children and fulfilled 724 requests. Now, more than a year later, their impact has surely expanded even further.
Churches across Michigan and the rest of the United States are embracing CarePortal as a means to live out their mission of service. By responding to requests, congregations are not only meeting physical needs but also building relationships that foster long-term support and transformation.
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The national numbers are nothing short of staggering, highlighting just how powerful this support has been. Currently, the CarePortal website shows 140,817 requests met, 372,406 children served and an economic impact of $139,644,452. The economic impact reflects the total value of goods, services, and volunteer time provided to support families in crisis. This metric quantifies the collective value of resources – such as goods, services, and volunteer time – provided through CarePortal to meet specific needs.
A digital lifeline for Michigan families.
As of this article’s publication, the CarePortal website’s list of urgent needs in Michigan includes needing support to reunite a biological family in Fenton, assistance needed for a human trafficking survivor reintegrating in Gowen, and help needed to purchase glasses for young boys in Holland – along with many other requests across the state.
Mike Rowe spotlights the organization.
CarePortal was recently featured on Emmy-winning American TV host Mike Rowe’s new YouTube series “People You Should Know” that debuted on May 2. The first episode is described by the Christian Newswire this way: “In the episode featuring CarePortal, viewers will meet Lenzy, a Kinship Care Support Advocate whose powerful story of resilience and service exemplifies the mission behind both the show and the organization. After escaping an abusive relationship in 2020, Lenzy found support through Winds of Hope Church and quickly felt called to give back. Since joining CarePortal in 2021, she has served over 53 families, often with her children by her side, working to ensure that poverty and lack of basic resources do not lead to unnecessary family separation.”
Adrien Lewis, Founder and President of CarePortal says, “Lenzy’s story is a moving reminder of the strength it takes to heal and the power of community in that process. Being featured on People You Should Know allows us to not only highlight Lenzy’s incredible work, but also shed light on the millions of children in the U.S. impacted by maltreatment, much of it preventable when communities step up.”
CarePortal is more than a platform – it’s a movement of compassion in action. From small towns to big cities, Michigan communities are proving that when people come together with purpose, real change happens.
