“The main things my family is struggling with right now is food and income. My husband and I both work decent jobs; however, with the food prices we cannot keep up with the growing economy and inflation… We have a hard time keeping groceries in the home while going to school full time and we really have no money to spend to do any fun things with our family.” —Parent, Cumberland County
“We don’t have enough money to go around for food and bills.” —Parent, Brunswick County
“What do families need to be well? They need resources, such as money, healthcare, childcare, housing, and education to live their best lives. Not having these are stressors. We as a community and as a state can do those things if we choose to do them.” —County Government Official
“Who can be the extension of the family? That’s where community I really feel comes in. Whether through neighborhood organizations, faith communities, or local programs…” —Leader of a Community-Based Organization
These voices echo across North Carolina, painting a vivid picture of the hopes and challenges families face every day. And the numbers tell the same story:
- Housing Wage: To afford a 2-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent, a worker must earn at least $17.88/hour—2.5 times the minimum wage.
- Evictions: Nearly 200,000 evictions were filed in NC in 2025, with over 11,000 foreclosures.
- Cost Burden: 58 counties require over $20/hour to afford housing, with 12 counties exceeding $30/hour.
- Child Poverty: Nearly 1 in 5 children in NC live in poverty, reversing a decade-long decline.
- Early Childhood Access: NC ranks 37th nationally for access to early learning programs for ages 3–4.
- Housing Burden: Almost 1 in 3 children live in households spending over 30% of income on housing.
Times are tough for families and for those of us working to support them. It is easy to feel powerless and isolated. Finding ways to connect and collaborate across sectors is more important than ever. The question is how to make that happen. What can change if families, leaders, champions, and professionals connect? What may never change if they do not?
What is Mission InCommon?
Mission InCommon (MIC) was envisioned to move communities from isolation to impact. It unites professionals, leaders, champions and families around a shared goal: family well-being. By thoughtfully reimagining fragmented systems that often unintentionally harm those they aim to help, Mission InCommon creates space for:
- Cross-sector collaboration that blends diverse expertise and experiences.
- Strategic storytelling that combines data and narrative to foster empathy and understanding.
- Tools for trust-building and systemic change, empowering communities to transform experiences into solutions.
Join Us in Piloting Mission InCommon
The Institute for Family is inviting partners, organizations, and community leaders to pilot Mission InCommon. Together, we can co-create solutions that speak to the real issues impacting families—solutions rooted in relationships, empathy, and shared accountability. Sign up below for a Mission InCommon pilot today:
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Learn how cross sector collaboration is working to improve systems
Watch this inspiring story of Cross sector collaboration and generational impact