Family Stories

Through the experiences of Colby and Dory, we see the role that supportive relationships, or social capital, can play in a family’s path to well-being. Both mothers witness self-transformation when they join a community-based program that offers young people networks of social support.

Being Gina is a film by Radha Mehta produced by Institute for Family. Listen to a mother’s journey to finding self-worth and reconnecting with family after experiencing the removal of her children and overcoming substance use disorder.

A young, single father opens his home to a cousin in-need and builds a unique family. Trestan was only 24 years old when he found out his 11-year-old cousin Tyreal was living in a group home. Sometimes in life you are confronted with the challenge of deciding how you will stand for your family.

In this family story, a mother draws on her children as her source of strength to keep her family together. Strength can be defined as “the capacity to withstand great force or pressure,” a concept with which Shaunta is more than familiar.

Families and filmmakers alike were asked to create videos showcasing the challenges, strengths, and diversity of family. See the winner and runner up filmmakers here, and tap into their timeless stories.