Wildlife and nature

Animal shelters and rescues

Theater and dance

Rivers, parks and trails

Hunger and food

Schools and learning

Housing and homelessness

Community health

Mental health

Mentoring and foster care

Legal help and rights

Jobs and money help

Atlanta

The Triangle

Everywhere

The Collective Workshop

Royal Animal Refuge

Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta

Georgia Advancing Communities Together

Atlanta Writers Club

Cobb Collaborative

Bosleys Place

Jewish Fertility Foundation

Families Moving Forward helps families in the crisis of homelessness find their way home. We provide temporary housing, case management, skills education, and connection to community resources to help parents and children thrive in stable homes.
Families Moving Forward (FMF) was created in 2016 after the successful merger of Genesis Home (GH, 1989) and Durham Interfaith Hospitality Network (DIHN, 1994). The recent expansion of the former GH has increased the capacity to serve more families; FMF now serves up to 75-85 families annually and approximately 160-200 children each year through our emergency shelter program, making FMF the largest housing and services provider for homeless families in Durham. We also work with families for up to one year after they move in to permanent housing to help them reach their goals of increased self-sufficiency and stable housing.

Line Dancing

National Night Out

Let's Get Together!! Matcha Klatch

Group Volunteer Opportunity

Volunteer your time with families

Donate household items for families

Give

News — Families Moving Forward

Tasha Melvin

Joe Daly

Chris Pearson

Annie Paylor

Tanya Davis

Jasmine Caraway

Kathy Wall

Wesley Roseman

Megan Harrison

Nicholas Siegel

Maryn Leonard

Zelda Everson

Sophia Loredo

Octavia Bell

Keisha Lunsford

Constance McClary

Janika Stevenson

Michelle Parker

Tawana Johnson

Victoria Bland

Mary Elizabeth Huneycutt

Oliva Rossman

Srijan Makkena

Marissa Detwiler

Our Silent Auction Is LIVE! Beach getaways? Golf outings? Live sports? Delicious dinners? Thoughtful gifts for someone who deserves something lovely? Yes, yes, yes, and YES! Our Chefs for Change silent auction is officially open, and there's a little something for everyone. The best part? You don't have to attend the Gala to bid! Anyone can join the fun. Browse the goodies, find your favorites, and don't be shy about bidding big! Every dollar raised goes directly toward the programs and services that help families experiencing homelessness find their way home. It's a win-win: you score something wonderful, and families in our community get the support they need to build a brighter future. If you're not attending the Gala, you'll need to register first. But it's easy. Visit https://secure.qgiv.com/event/cfcgala26 and click Get Tickets. The Remote Silent Auction Bidder ticket will be automatically selected for you. Fill out your information, and you are ready to go! Then, jump into the bidding action here: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/cfcgala26/items/ Know someone who would love one of these finds? Share this post and spread the word. When you and your friends win, families win! Good luck and happy bidding! #ChefsForChange2026 #FamiliesMovingForwardNC #FMFGala #DurhamNC #SupportLocalDurham #EndFamilyHomelessness

We are looking to hire! The Early Childhood Services Coordinator is responsible for supporting families with children from birth through Pre-K and pregnant mothers. Programmatic responsibilities include developmental screenings, developing and overseeing volunteer-led workshops and activities, conducting volunteer training, and leading the agency in appropriate early childhood care practices. This work requires being onsite and working directly with families and children residing in the shelter, along with volunteers and staff. For more information, visit www.fmfnc.org/employment. #DurhamJobs #EarlyChildhood #NonprofitJobs #NowHiring #JoinOurTeam #familiesmovingforwardnc #ChildhoodServices

Good food brings people to the table. Great sponsors help us make a bigger impact once they’re there. Our Chefs for Change series wouldn’t be possible without the generous businesses, organizations, and individuals who choose to sponsor it. But here’s the really important part: the majority of sponsorship support goes directly toward FMF’s programs and services, helping families find their way home and build a stronger, more stable future. Many of the sponsors you’ll see here have been pulling up a chair at the FMF table for years. Their continued support means more than we can put into words, and we are so grateful to have them in our corner. And to the new friends joining us this year: welcome to the table! We’re so glad you’re here, and we’re already hoping this is the beginning of a beautiful, long-term friendship. So, as you’re out and about in our community, visit, shop, dine, and support the businesses that support FMF. When you support them, you’re helping support local families, too. Thank you to all of our incredible sponsors for helping make Chefs for Change, and so much of our work at FMF, possible. We’re lucky to have you at our table. #ThankYouSponsors #EndingHomelessness #ChefsForChange2026 #FamiliesMovingForwardNC #DurhamNC #CommunitySupport

Last week, our team wore purple to honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month and stand in solidarity with survivors, families, and all those whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence. More than half of the families we serve at FMF report experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence. This is one of the many reasons a trauma-informed approach is so important to our work. Every family deserves to be met with compassion, dignity, and the support they need to build a safe and stable future. We are deeply grateful for our community partners, especially the Durham Crisis Response Center (DCRC), who help ensure families have access to additional support, resources, and care when they need it most. To everyone experiencing or fleeing domestic violence, we see you, we stand with you, and you deserve safety and support. To those who have lost loved ones to domestic violence, we hold you in our hearts. May we continue to show up for survivors, strengthen the resources available to families, and work together toward a future where every person can feel safe at home. #DVAM2026 #WithSurvivors #DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth #SurvivorsDeserveAction #SafeHomesStrongerFamilies #BreakTheCycle #DurhamNC #familiesmovingforwardnc #morethanashelter

World Food Day celebrates the systems that help keep people around the world fed. At FMF, our system is powered by our Rotational Dinner Volunteers - the churches, civic groups, schools, and families that prepare and serve meals to our families before evening programming. Thank you for ensuring that children and parents are fed and ready to engage! (pictured, clockwise from top: @judeareformcongregation, Durham Ushers Union, @elizabethstreetumc, @firstpresdurham, @newhopemovement). #WorldFoodDay #ServingWithLove #NourishingFamilies #familiesmovingforwardnc #morethanashelter

🎬 Now Showing in the FMF Arts & Crafts Room: a movie theater! Last month, the Junior League of Durham and Orange Counties brought a little movie magic to Family Fun Night, transforming our Arts & Crafts Room into a cozy cinema for an evening of popcorn, movies, and family time. It’s one of our favorite things about FMF: our spaces can become whatever families need them to be. An art studio, a classroom, a celebration space, a movie theater... the possibilities are pretty great. A special thank you to Duke Memorial United Methodist Church for their recent donation of chairs, too. We’re already putting them to good use! Want to bring some fun to FMF? Gather your group, choose your theme, and host a Family Fun Night or birthday celebration for our families. Contact Volunteer Engagement Coordinator Maryn Leonard (maryn@fmfnc.org; 919.683.5878x31) for details. #FunForEveryone #JuniorLeagueDOC #dukememorialumc #JoyfulMoments #HopeInAction #familiesmovingforwardnc #communitysupport #givebacktothecommunity #morethanashelter

Dust off your boots and come dance for a good cause! Motorco is hosting a night of line dancing on October 15 at 7 p.m., and $4 from every ticket benefits Families Moving Forward. Grab your friends, learn a few steps, and help support local families on their way home! Visit www.motorcomusic.com/event/line-dancing-2 to kick up some tickets! #MotorcoDurham #triangledancers #LineDancingFun #DurhamLineDancing #LineDancingForACause #familiesmovingforwardnc #endfamilyhomelessness #SupportLocalDurham

10 friends. $10 each. 10/10. Let’s make it count. As we continue celebrating 10 years of FMF (and hundreds of families housed!!), we have a little challenge for you: Find 10 friends. Ask each one to give $10 to Families Moving Forward. Then challenge them to find 10 of their own. It's our #10for10challenge🏆 That’s it. No big fundraiser. No complicated campaign. Just you, your people, and $10 making a difference for local families. Your $10 helps provide the programs, services, and support that help families move from crisis toward stability. And when you bring your friends along, your impact multiplies. Over and over. You could be the person who gets the whole thing moving. You could be the first 10. You could be the hero of our 10 for 10 challenge. So, who are your 10? 10 friends. $10 each. Visit us at https://fmfnc.org/donate to accept the challenge! #10ForOur10th #FMF10 #FamiliesMovingForwardNC #Give10Ask10 #PowerOf10 #SmallGiftsBigImpact #SupportLocalFamilies

Ready to spread your holiday cheer... all year? If you’re looking for a way to make a big impact this holiday season, we’d love to invite you to coordinate a donation drive for Families Moving Forward! In-kind donations are a tangible way that FMF sustains supporting families and operations – 365 days a year. Whether you’re gathering friends, rallying your coworkers, organizing your faith community, or getting your favorite club involved, a donation drive is a simple way to turn a little holiday spirit into something families can truly use. And you don’t have to guess what we need! We’re happy to provide a wish list of items that support our families, our facility, and the programs that help children and parents thrive. You bring the people. We’ll help with the wish list. Together, we’ll make the giving count. Ready to get started? Reach out to Maryn (maryn@fmfnc.org; 919.683.5878x31) for more information. #SeasonOfGiving #HolidayDonationDrive #WishlistDrive #SupportFamilies #familiesmovingforwardnc #DurhamNC #SpreadJoy #CommunityKindness

Hi, neighbors! We hope to see you tonight at National Night Out! We’re looking forward to meeting those of you we haven’t met yet, catching up with familiar faces, and enjoying an evening of community, connection, and festivities. Come say hi, introduce yourself, and help us celebrate what makes our neighborhood such a special place to be. We’ll see y’all there! #NationalNightOut #MeetYourNeighbors #DurhamCommunity #familiesmovingforwardnc #StrongerTogether

A reason to smile? We have so many! But today... Happy World Smile Day... it seems fitting to highlight an incredible partner: the UNC SMILE Clinic, who come onsite to FMF and provide free dental care to families. Your care, generosity, and willingness to meet families where they are makes a meaningful difference. We’re grateful for partners who help make healthy smiles a little more accessible, one family at a time. #WorldSmileDay #UNCSmile #UNCDentistry #SupportLocalFamilies #familiesmovingforwardnc #morethanashelter #endfamilyhomelessness #CommunityImpact #MakingADifference

Want to share something great? A dinner out. A weekend getaway. A favorite local experience. A gift card. A service you swear by. A hidden gem we haven’t thought of yet. We’re looking for items, experiences, services, and more to fill the Silent Auction at our 2026 Chefs for Change Gala, and we’d love for our community to help us make it really good. And here’s where the impact gets even better: our Silent Auction will be open to the community for a full week before the Gala, giving your donation plenty of chances to find a new home. The funds raised through every winning bid go directly toward the programs and services of Families Moving Forward. So that dinner reservation you love? The cabin you’re willing to share? The business you want to introduce to more people? It could become someone’s favorite auction find, while helping local families find their way home. Have something to donate? We’d love to hear from you. Email Megan at meg@fmfnc.org to donate or learn more! #silentauctionitems #charityauction #chefsforchange #familiesmovingforwardnc #supportlocaldurham #trianglefoodies #endfamilyhomelessness #morethanashelter #SupportLocalFamilies See less

Tickets for the 2026 Chefs for Change Gala are going fast, and we’d hate to miss you at the table! Why should you be there? Easy Answer: You'll have a great meal from some of the finest chefs in Durham. Easier Answer: You never know what surprises we're cooking up for our auctions. Easiest Answer: Your ticket helps support families with children in Durham. Whatever brings you through the doors, there’s plenty to look forward to. 🗓️ November 5, 2026 📍 The Cookery, Durham 🎟️ fmfnc.org/tickets Grab your tickets while they’re still available. We really don’t want to have to tell you, “You should’ve been there.” #ChefsforChange #familiesmovingforwardnc #FMFGala #endfamilyhomelessness #TriangleFoodies #supportlocaldurham💙🐂

What can you build with a 3-D pen? Pretty much anything you can dream up! At FMF, we love seeing our families build, create, learn, and explore together. Our two-generation approach means enrichment isn’t just for the kiddos. We create opportunities for parents and children alike to develop skills, discover new interests, and have a little fun along the way. Recently, our younger guests were getting creative with 3-D pens with our friends from Goodwill Industries of Eastern NC , who also brought programming and opportunities for our adults. Because supporting a family means supporting the whole family. And sometimes, that looks like building something amazing, one squiggly line at a time. Including a path to safe, stable housing. Thank you, Goodwill, for helping our families build new possibilities! #goodwilleastNC #familiesmovingforwardnc #CommunityPartners #EmpoweringFamilies #BuildingSkills #NewOpportunities

Marissa Detwiler is a social work intern at Families Moving Forward working with the Rapid Rehousing and Aftercare programs this year. Marissa is in her first year of the MSW program at North Carolina State University. Before graduate school, she studied psychology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and completed research with the Trauma and Resilience Lab. She is originally from Asheville and enjoys reading, hiking, and going to the movies. #socialworkstudents #socialworkinterns♥️ #familiesmovingforwardnc #morethanashelter #FamilySuccess #ncstatesocialwork

We are thrilled to share that Cocoa Cinnamon has chosen to support us via their Wonder Menu Drink: "A Gift to Those Who Contemplate the Wonders of Cities and the Marvel of Travelling." Grab yourself this iced macadamia milk matcha latte with rose, honey & cardamom and $1 will be donated to FMF! Feel free to get one every day. 🙂 If you want to add to the fun, we are having an informal matcha klatch Sept 24 at all three Cocoa Cinnamon locations - so if you have questions about FMF or family homelessness, we'd love to see you! #cocoacinnamondurham #familiesmovingforwardnc #SupportLocalDurham #durhamfoodiespots #DurhamCoffee #DineOutForAGoodCause

Mary Elizabeth Huneycutt is a Programming Intern at FMF this year. She is a first-year student at UNC-Chapel Hill in the Master of Social Work program and attained a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Sociology from UNC-CH in May 2026. Mary Elizabeth loves working with children and has a lot of experience in different settings with kids. She is excited to spend more time in the Durham area this year and learn at FMF! #socialworkstudents #socialworkinterns♥️ #familiesmovingforwardnc #morethanashelter #UNCSSW #2genapproach #FamilySuccess

And now for the final breadcrumb… We saved one more delicious name for you. Aaron Benjamin of Gocciolina is coming back to the Chefs for Change Gala! Aaron is a longtime friend of Families Moving Forward and a Chefs for Change alum, so we already know he understands the assignment: bring incredible food, sprinkle in a little Durham magic, and leave everyone wondering if they saved enough room for another bite. We’re thrilled to welcome him back to the table and can’t wait to see what he has up his sleeve this year. And with that, the chef lineup is officially complete. We’ve got acclaimed Durham favorites, longtime FMF friends, new faces on the scene, and enough culinary talent to make for one very delicious evening. The breadcrumbs have been dropped. Now it’s time to follow them to our box office to reserve your seat at the table. 🎟️ Tickets are ON SALE NOW! Early Bird pricing is available for a limited time. Come hungry. Leave inspired. Support families and children experiencing homelessness in Durham. #ChefsForChange #FMFGala #FamiliesMovingForward #DurhamNC #Gocciolina #durhamfood

We've gone all out for our 10th Annual Chefs for Change Gala and Auction! Six amazing chefs, a silent AND live auction, unforgettable moments, and the power of community on full display. And the final ingredient to this perfect recipe is you. Reserve your spot NOW at https://fmfnc.org/tickets #ChefsForChange #FMFGala #FamiliesMovingForward #DurhamNC #SupportLocalDurham #EndFamilyHomelessness

👀 Okay, Durham. This one is a little bit special. We’re thrilled to introduce Alex Catotti & Erin Kobler, the husband-and-wife chef team behind Restaurant Cornelia and The Vintner and The Baker, opening in Durham in Spring 2027. The two met on the opening team at Bellemore, fell in love, and worked alongside the most successful chefs and restaurateurs in Chicago, garnering multiple MICHELIN stars. Having conquered the Windy City, they decided to bring their shared love of food and hospitality back to Durham. And now, we get to introduce their talents to you. We’re honored to welcome Alex and Erin to the Chefs for Change table and can’t wait for you to taste what they’re bringing home. Consider this another breadcrumb. We have a feeling you’re going to want to follow this trail. 🎟️ Tickets go on sale September 14, with Early Bird pricing available for a limited time. #ChefsForChange #FMFGala #FamiliesMovingForward #DurhamNC #RestaurantCornelia #TheVintnerAndTheBaker

Some Durham legends are returning to the table. And we're thrilled about it! Please welcome Matt Kelly of Nanas and Chris Garrett of Seraphine back to the Chefs for Change Gala! Both Matt and Chris have been longtime friends and supporters of Families Moving Forward, and we couldn’t be happier to have them in the kitchen for another night of incredible food and even better company. They’re also two chefs who have helped shape Durham’s food scene into what it is today. Between the MICHELIN Guide accolades, awards, and full dining rooms, we could probably write an entire post about what they’ve accomplished.👀 But we’d rather let the food do the talking. So consider this your latest breadcrumb: two highly acclaimed Durham chefs + more surprises to come + one very delicious Gala + supporting children & families = a night you won't want to miss! 🎟️ Tickets go on sale September 14, with Early Bird pricing available for a limited time. More chefs. More surprises. More reasons to save the date (11/5/26). #ChefsForChange #FMFGala #FamiliesMovingForward #DurhamNC #NanasDurham #SeraphineDurham

Olivia Rossman is a programming intern at Families Moving Forward this year and is excited to join the team. She is a first-year MSW student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and hopes to focus her future work on trauma and interpersonal violence (IPV). Olivia graduated from American University in 2025, where she studied communications and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies. In her free time, she enjoys reading, music, and hanging out with her cat. #socialworkstudents #socialworkinterns♥️ #familiesmovingforwardnc #morethanashelter #UNCSSW #2genapproach #FamilySuccess

WE DID IT! Our Comfort Crew showed up BIG. We set out to raise $30,000 to replace all 100 mattresses in our shelter, and you helped us make it happen. Every. Single. Mattress. We are overwhelmed with gratitude and a little bit in awe of what this community can do when we come together. Over the course of this campaign, we watched kids, neighborhoods, churches and faith groups, businesses, longtime supporters, first-time donors, and people giving $5, $50, $500 and beyond all rally around one simple idea: families deserve a safe, comfortable place to rest while they find their way home. And together, you turned that idea into $30,000 and 100 new mattresses for families at Families Moving Forward. This is what community looks like. This is what generosity looks like. Honestly, this is what dreams are made of. To every person who donated, shared a post, rallied your friends, hosted a collection, cheered us on, or simply believed we could do it: THANK YOU. You are part of this story, and we could not be more grateful. We’ve tucked this campaign in with a very happy ending, but there’s plenty more to do. Stay connected because there is no sleeping on what we will do together! #sweetdreams #AGoodNightsSleep #DignityAndComfort #CommunityStrong #GenerosityInAction #familiesmovingforwardnc #morethanashelter

The kiddos may have been heading back to school, but last week, the FMF staff decided we deserved a little fun, too! From silly socks and throwback decades to animal antics, school spirit, and favorite characters, we packed Spirit Week with plenty of laughs and questionable fashion choices. So, please enjoy these pictures of our staff embracing the creativity and a little competition! We take our work seriously. Our Spirit Week outfits? Not so much. #SpiritWeek #BackToSchool #FamiliesMovingForward #FMF #WorkplaceFun #familiesmovingforwardnc

Srijan Makkena is a programming intern at Families Moving Forward, where he works to support and enrich the ongoing programming efforts with adults and school-aged children staying with us. Srijan is in his first year of the MSW program at UNC-Chapel Hill. He completed his undergraduate degree this May in Psychology at Rutgers University, NJ. During his undergraduate years, Srijan worked as an administrative intern at a local nonprofit that provided programming for low-income families that had children with disabilities. He is excited to be at FMF and learn as much as he can. In his free time, Srijan enjoys reading, working out, listening to music, and watching cinema. #socialworkstudents #socialworkinterns♥️ #familiesmovingforwardnc #morethanashelter #UNCSSW

A little something sweet is coming… We’re thrilled to announce that Chris McLaurin of Lutra Cafe & Bakery is bringing his seriously incredible desserts back to the Chefs for Change Gala and Auction on November 5th! And if you’ve ever tasted Chris’s creations, you already know that “save room for dessert” is less of a suggestion and more of a survival strategy. If you haven’t discovered Lutra Cafe & Bakery yet, consider this your delicious nudge. Go. Try something. Thank us later. And if you want to experience Chris’s desserts alongside courses from some of Durham’s finest chefs, you’ll want to mark your calendar: Tickets go on sale September 14! Early bird tickets will be available for a limited time. Stay tuned. We’ve got more deliciousness to reveal before the big day. 👀 #ChefsForChange #FMFGala #familiesmovingforwardnc #DurhamNC #LutraCafe #savethedateideas

Families Moving Forward is looking for an experienced Finance & Administration Manager to oversee day-to-day financial and HR operations. This team member works closely with the Executive Director, external audit partners, supervisors, benefits providers, and other vendors, and serves as a trusted resource for both financial and employee-related matters. Click or copy and paste the link below to learn more. https://fmfnc.org/employment #NonprofitJobs #NowHiring #durhamnc #BullCity #familiesmovingforwardnc

Bubbles, balloons, and burgers made for a pretty perfect back-to-school celebration! Huge thanks to the volunteers from Epworth UMC and Southern Harvest Catering for filling Friday evening with fun, food, and plenty of smiles. Even our staff got their faces painted! And thanks to ABC11 and Macedonia Apostolic Church, our families also headed into the new school year with backpacks packed full of school supplies. We’re so grateful for the community partners who help make sure the kids at FMF can start the school year ready and raring to go! Here’s to a great year ahead!

Do you want to help families with children transition from homelessness to long-term housing stability, economic self-sufficiency, and connection to community resources? Are you a case manager ready to join a dynamic and growing team leading the charge to end family homelessness in Durham, NC? Click or copy and paste the link below and scroll down just a tad to learn more about FMF's Housing Stabilization Coordinator position. And if this opportunity isn't a fit, but "you know someone great," please share our link. Thank you! https://fmfnc.org/employment #NonprofitJobs #CaseManager #familiesmovingforwardnc #NowHiring #durhamnc #BullCity #HousingStability #socialworkerjobsnc

Today, on National Nonprofit Day, we’re celebrating the people who make this work possible. We are incredibly proud of the FMF staff who show up every day with compassion, creativity, expertise, and determination to support families experiencing homelessness. But this work has never been ours alone. We are fortunate to be part of a robust nonprofit community, surrounded by incredible organizations and partners who share their time, talents, resources, and expertise to strengthen our work and support the families we serve. From direct service to advocacy, from food and housing to education and enrichment, our community is stronger because nonprofits work together. We are honored to do our part in serving Durham and grateful to everyone who makes that work possible. Thank you for believing in this community and in the power of partnership. We hope you’ll celebrate today by learning more about the nonprofits in your community and finding a way to get involved. #NationalNonprofitDay #SupportNonprofits #CommunityPower #DurhamNC #BullCityCares #FamiliesMovingForwardNC

If you are looking for a quick way to make a big impact this weekend, we invite you to make a purchase off our Amazon Wish List (see link in first comment) or pick up one of these items and drop it off at FMF next week. Thanks so much! #inkinddonationsneeded #StockTheShelves #CommunityCare #familiesmovingforwardnc #durhamnc #bullcitylove

Happy International Youth Day! At Families Moving Forward, we’ve had the privilege of knowing so many young guests who have shown remarkable resilience, perseverance, creativity, curiosity, and determination. They’ve worked toward their goals, supported one another, discovered new interests, made us laugh, asked thoughtful questions, and kept moving forward even when circumstances around them were anything but easy. Here’s to the young people who remind us that resilience can look like a big achievement, a new friendship, trying something for the first time, speaking up, or simply showing up and giving it another go. Their accomplishments are theirs, and we’re honored to cheer them on along the way. Here’s to the young people who keep growing, dreaming, questioning, creating, and making their mark on the world! #InternationalYouthDay #YouthEmpowerment #hopeforthefuture #EveryChildMatters #familiesmovingforwardnc #CelebratingOurYouth

Last Thursday was National Intern Day, and we wanted to post a video highlighting all of the marvelous work and impact that FMF interns have provided over the years, but we couldn't find an intern to show us how to use the editing software! While this video took a bit longer to make than we anticipated, the delay in no way diminishes our respect, pride, and deep gratitude for our past, present, and future interns here at FMF! #InternAppreciation #FutureLeaders #DurhamNC #familiesmovingforwardnc #NonprofitIntern #gratitudepost🙏

Looking for a fun way to give back? We're looking for a group to host our September Birthday Party for families staying at The NEST! 📅 Monday, September 14 🕕 6:00 to 8:00 PM As our birthday party hosts, your group will provide: 🎈 Decorations 🍽️ Dinner 🎲 A fun activity or game 🎂 We'll take care of the birthday cake! The best part? You get to choose the theme! Past celebrations have featured everything from outer space and dinosaurs to carnivals, arts & crafts, and more. Whether you go all out or keep it simple, you'll help create an evening where every birthday guest feels celebrated, seen, and special. If your family, workplace, faith community, civic group, or friends would like to host this unforgettable evening, we'd love to hear from you! Send us a message or email us to get started. #BirthdayPartyHost #GroupVolunteering #familiesmovingforwardnc ##DurhamNC #BullCity #EndHomelessness #morethanashelter

When we ask for donations like comforters, cleaning supplies, and household essentials, it often means something worth celebrating is happening... It means families are moving into permanent housing! Every time a room is emptied, our team gets to work preparing it for the next family who needs a safe place to land. Right now, we're preparing for an increase in move-ins over the coming weeks, and our shelves need a little help keeping up. Our most urgent needs are: Twin comforters, Laundry detergent, Multi-purpose cleaning spray, Disinfectant wipes, Bleach, Toilet paper, Trash bags Your generosity doesn't just help us stock our supply closet; it brings comfort and community support to families. If you'd like to donate, send Maryn a message or visit our Amazon Wishlist. #InKindDonations #CommunityCare #stocktheshelves #familiesmovingforwardnc #DurhamNC #bullcitylove

Summer should be filled with adventure, laughter, and memories that last a lifetime. Last week, kids from The NEST & Branching Out got a big dose of summer at Camp Phoenix at Baynes Family Farm. From horseback riding to nature walks to an inflatable water park to movies under the stars, our kiddos spent the week having fun, doing what every child deserves to do: simply being a kid. Thanks to all who donated camp essentials to our families and thanks again to the Baynes family for opening your hearts and farm to create this incredible experience! #summercamp #ChildhoodJoy #baynesfamilyfarm #familiesmovingforwardnc #morethanashelter

We are happy to share that Families Moving Forward will be participating in the 2026 State Employees Combined Campaign! State employees can find us in the official SECC Giving Guide and may choose to designate donations to FMF (code # 3875). The annual workplace giving campaign runs from September 1st to December 31st. Thank you to @ncsecc for making it easier for state employees to support families in their journey from homelessness to safe, stable homes. #ncsecc #familiesmovingforwardnc #workplacegiving #SupportFamilies #givewhereyoulive❤️

Octavia Bell has joined the FMF team as the new Early Childhood Coordinator. She brings a deep passion for supporting families and children, backed by over 16 years of experience as an Infant through School-Age teacher in childcare centers. Her professional background also includes work within the Public School System and providing childcare for families throughout the Triangle. Octavia is currently finalizing her degree in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Family Relations at North Carolina Central University. Outside of work, Octavia cherishes time with her family, Whether they are heading to the beach or trampoline parks, going bowling, or enjoying a game night at home, she is dedicated to creating lasting memories with her loved ones. #EarlyChildhoodEducation #ChildDevelopment #InvestingInKids #familysupport❤️ #FutureGenerations #familiesmovingforwardnc #morethanashelter

Today, on Global Hug Your Kids Day, help ensure that the children who stay with us at FMF feel loved and supported. Visit our Items for Playtime wish list at https://bit.ly/4fd6oRw. Thank you for spreading the love! #GlobalHugYourKidsDay #DonateForKids #PlayroomDonations #SmallActsBigImpact #familiesmovingforwardnc #morethanashelter

Who do you think all these hearts are for? Drop your guess below before you keep reading. 👇 ... They're for every donor, volunteer, partner, advocate, and neighbor who believes every family deserves safety, stability, and the opportunity to thrive. Happy World Emoji Day to the community that puts so much heart into making that possible. Thank you for standing with Families Moving Forward. ❤️ #WorldEmojiDay #CommunityStrong #heartemoji❤️ #familiesmovingforwardnc #durhamnc #bullcitylove

Happy National Mac & Cheese Day! Whether it's creamy, baked, loaded with toppings, or straight from a treasured family recipe, mac & cheese has a way of bringing people together. We're especially grateful for our incredible rotating dinner groups who provide evening meals for families staying at Families Moving Forward. Thanks to their generosity, parents can fully participate in evening programming knowing dinner is already taken care of, kids get to enjoy a warm, home-cooked meal, and volunteers make a tangible difference in the lives of families working toward stable housing. That's what we call a win-win-win. To every congregation, civic group, business, neighborhood, and volunteer team that has ever cooked, served, donated, or delivered a meal for our families: thank you. Whether you bring the mac & cheese or something completely different, you're helping nourish families and strengthen our community. #NationalMacAndCheeseDay #VolunteerAppreciation #ShelterHeroes #familiesmovingforwardnc #ComfortFood #familydinners❤️

Disability Pride Month is a reminder that every family deserves access to safe housing, supportive services, and a community where they can thrive. At Families Moving Forward, we have served, and continue to serve, families that include children and adults with disabilities. Their experiences challenge us to keep asking an important question: How can we do better? We know our facilities can be difficult to navigate for some, and we recognize that housing is only part of the solution if families can't fully access the spaces, programs, and support they need. That's why we are continually working to make our campus and services more accessible. We're grateful to the community that walks alongside us in that work. From corporate and family foundations that generously invest in capital improvements to volunteers who show up throughout the year to assist with needed repairs, landscaping, cleaning, and organizing—each dollar and hour donated brings us one step closer to ensuring that every family in Durham experiencing homelessness can find safety, dignity, and opportunity at FMF. #DisabilityPrideMonth #AccessibilityForAll #InclusionMatters #AccessibleSpaces #DisabilityRights #familiesmovingforwardnc

Little hands, big lessons! Our Aftercare families spent the day exploring SEEDS’ beautiful community garden, planting tomatoes, learning about food security, and taking home plants of their own. We can't wait to watch these gardens—and our families—continue to grow! #seedsdurham #FoodSecurity #CommunityGarden #familiesmovingforwardnc #DurhamNC #BullCity #morethanashelter

At FMF, we hold these truths to be self-evident that all: • Families deserve a safe, stable home • Children should always feel secure and loved • Parents deserve the support they need to be their best – for their loved ones and themselves Freedom from the tyranny of generational poverty and homelessness is built through community action and neighbor helping neighbor. This Semiquincentennial July 4th, we are grateful for those who have given – and continue to pledge – their love, fortunes, and time to support families with children. Thank you for supporting the revolutionary work of ending family homelessness in Durham, creating the opportunity for us all to be better tomorrow than today. Have a safe holiday! #LifeLibertyAndHousing #HousingIsAHumanRight #EndHomelessness #IndependenceDay #July4th #familiesmovingforwardnc

Wanted: Individuals willing to... ✔ Make difficult decisions. ✔ Read budgets for fun. ✔ Dream big while keeping us grounded. ✔ Ask thoughtful questions. ✔ Protect our mission. ✔ Safeguard our financial future. ✔ Believe deeply that every child deserves a safe, stable home. That's quite a job description, especially when you're not being paid! Thankfully, FMF is able to recruit dedicated volunteers who are willing to do all those things and more, including pose for pictures. Today we're celebrating our incredible Board of Directors, whose volunteer leadership helps Families Moving Forward stay strong, stable, and focused on what matters most: helping families move from homelessness to home. Thank you for sharing your time, talents, and hearts with us and the Durham community! #familiesmovingforwardnc #BoardAppreciation #ThankYouVolunteers #CommunityService #MakingADifference #DurhamNC #bullcity

We have the pleasure of serving families of all shapes and sizes in Durham! Thank you for entrusting us with the important work of supporting children and parents on their journey from homelessness to safe, stable homes.🙂 #DurhamFamilies #EveryoneBelongs #StrongerTogether #CommunityFirst #DurhamNC #BullCity #familiesmovingforwardnc

June is National Safety Month, and at Families Moving Forward, safety is woven into everything we do. Some signs of safety are easy to spot: fire alarms, secure entrances, mulch beneath playground equipment, bed rails for little ones, and car seats to help families travel safely. Others happen quietly behind the scenes: staff training, volunteer background checks, confidentiality practices, trauma-informed care, emergency preparedness plans, and countless policies designed to protect the families we serve. We also recognize that safety is more than physical. For families who have experienced homelessness, safety can mean having privacy, feeling respected, knowing their story will be protected, and trusting that they are surrounded by people who care. From sound machines that help maintain confidentiality to practices that promote dignity and choice, we work every day to create spaces where families can feel secure, supported, and empowered. Many of the ways we prioritize safety aren't visible to the public—and that's by design. But every decision reflects our commitment to the well-being of our families, staff, volunteers, and community. Because trust is the foundation of our work. And when families feel safe, healing, growth, and new beginnings become possible. #NationalSafetyMonth #safetyfirstalways #SupportFamilies #familiesmovingforwardnc #MoreThanAShelter

Happy Father's Day to all the amazing men we get to walk alongside each day. To the dads in our shelter and those waiting to find safe space — your strength and love for your children inspires us every single day. To the pops who've made it into housing and are working hard to build something better — we see you and are so proud of you. To every man who has stepped in and loved a child who needed it; a grandfather, an uncle, a friend, a mentor — you are a father in every way that matters. And today, we also hold space for those who find this day heavy. For those grieving the loss of a father. For those whose relationship with their dad is complicated or painful. For those longing to be fathers or missing children they love. Fatherhood looks so many different ways, and today we honor all of it; the joy, the resilience, and the quiet hard work of loving someone with your whole heart. #HappyFathersDay #DadAppreciation #FatherFigure #SupportFamilies #familiesmovingforwardnc

Cue the theme song... Every great show needs Executive Producers, and ours are the incredible members of our Roots family! Your recurring gifts are our Lights! Camera! Action! Thanks for being the dependable team that makes it all possible. Haven't tuned in yet? You can join Roots now and help ensure that FMF is renewed for another season! https://fmfnc.org/roots #RootsDonors #DonorAppreciation #MonthlyDonors #familiesmovingforwardnc #endfamilyhomelessness

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT After approximately three years of quietly appearing in graphics, lurking in the corners of social media posts, and generally making itself at home, the owl has officially accepted the role of Families Moving Forward's mascot. On this National Mascot Day, we're thrilled to welcome our feathered friend to the team (even if they've been acting like they worked here all along). As a wise observer of all things FMF, our owl represents learning, growth, resilience, and keeping a watchful eye on the families we serve as they build brighter futures. The owl is especially excited to join the ranks of Triangle mascot royalty—including local legends like Wool E. Bull, Stormy, The Blue Devil, and Rameses—many of whom have supported FMF over the years. So, @durhambulls, @canes, @dukeuniversity, and @uncchapelhill, please welcome our mascot into the huddle. Happy National Mascot Day from FMF and our newest (official) team member! #NationalMascotDay #fmfmascot #DurhamNC #BullCity #EndFamilyHomelessness #familiesmovingforwardnc

Relive some of the fun of Raisin' The Roof! Photos, courtesy of the talented Satsuki "Sunshine" Scoville, can be viewed at: https://fmfnc.org/photos. Thank you again for joining us and if you missed this one, we hope to see you at the Gala on Nov. 5th! #familiesmovingforwardnc #chefsforchange #retroblockparty #supportlocaldurham💙🐂 #discoverdurhamnc #dancingforacause

@nesttriangle made our May marvelous! First, they spent a Facility Friday finishing up projects started at Rock the Block to spruce up OUR NEST. Then, they stopped by at the end of the month to host Family Fun Night! Now, they're flocking back to host our Family Fun Night for June!! It just goes to show. Birds of a feather love families together. 🥰 Thank you Nest Realty. #nestrealtytriangle #CommunityImpact #volunteering #familiesmovingforwardnc #endfamilyhomelessness #morethanashelter

Our facility manager Wesley is always busy keeping things up and running (and doing a great job!); let's see if we can surprise him with some items off of his wish list! https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3A9ED328UFL47?ref_=wl_share #familiesmovingforwardnc #inkinddonations #durhamnc #bullcitylove #donatelocally #familysupport❤️

Do your part to help Durham lick family homelessness by visiting @theparlourdurham during the month of June! Gather your office mates for a midday break, round up your team for a post-game treat, or top off a night downtown by swinging by 117 Market St. And don't forget to order the special that supports the work of FMF! If there was ever guilt-free ice cream, this is it. Thank you to Yoni and Vanessa, aka Mr. and Mrs. Parlour, for helping make Durham a sweeter place for ALL families. #TheParlourDurham #familiesmovingforwardnc #ShopLocalDurham #icecreamtime❤️ #communitymatters #DurhamNC

Lia Lapidot is an intern at Families Moving Forward this summer, and we are delighted to have her. She is assisting our enrichment programming efforts for children. Lia is a rising senior at Duke University studying Biology, Psychology, and Religious Studies. She is committed to community health and supporting individuals from every background, focusing on engaging local youth as well as contributing to accessible living and healthcare. Outside of work and school, Lia loves volunteering with local animal rescues and knitting. #DukeInterns #YouthProgramming #FamilySupport #familiesmovingforwardnc #morethanashelter #childenrichmentprogram

You did it Durham! You RAISED THE ROOF last night for families experiencing homelessness, and our hearts are overflowing with gratitude. It was a magical evening full of amazing food, infectious beats, and the palpable love of a community coming together for something truly meaningful. The result? Together we raised over $39,000 to help children and families in Durham move toward safe, stable housing! There are so many people and organizations to thank, we simply don't have the space here, but you can see many of their names on our website at https://fmfnc.org/sponsors?blm_aid=0. Thank you to all the chefs, sponsors, partners, board members and other volunteers, FMF staff, and donors who showed up to help break the cycle of homelessness. And to those of you who threw down on the dance floor last night, mad respect. It was quite a show! We hope you ALL recover. If you missed Raisin' The Roof, don't despair. Our Annual Gala and Auction is just five months from today! #ChefsforChange #ThankYouDurham #RaisinTheRoof2026 #FamiliesMovingForwardNC #StrongerTogether #DurhamNC

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