They help us be more effective in ministry, in our present programs, and in future planning. Troubled families beget troubled children. These children, now adults, are in our family shelters. Homelessness will beget homelessness. The truth is, we know what causes homelessness.
Fractured families beget fractured children, who grow up following in their family's footprints.
And it is getting worse. Most of these children don't know what a functional family is, much less a Christian family. Transitional living and after-care programs are growing, but that growth needs to be accelerated. Many emergency programs have grown into full recovery programs, and many ministries have made long term commitments to those they minister to, as much as two years. Without mentors and church family relationships the chances of seeing families develop and grow in faith and practice is slim.