Imagine this: It’s February, and Jocelyn just learned she may not graduate. Why? A principal sees low performance and chronic absences. A social worker sees neglect. A parent sees an unstable economy and multiple jobs to make ends meet. Siblings see long days and some overnights alone at home. And Jocelyn? She sees her role as caretaker for her younger siblings expanded.
Same family. Different lenses. Entirely different stories.
Families are not one-dimensional, and neither are the challenges they face. Yet too often, we define them through the one sector, one issue, or one narrow perspective we see them through. When that happens, we miss the rich, layered reality of family life and the profound ripple effects family circumstances have across every part of society.
Families are dynamic. Their struggles are intertwined with their hopes and dreams, and when challenges pile up, those dreams can feel out of reach. If our ultimate goal is to help families thrive, we must start by asking the right questions:
- What does wellness look like for them?
- What fills the gaps in their lives?
- What truly matters to their happiness?
- What challenges do they face?
The truth is, only families can answer these questions. And that’s why listening matters.
How We’re Listening and How You Can Help
Every January, the Institute for Family conducts the Family Insight Survey to capture the voices and experiences of families across North Carolina. This survey helps us build a more complete picture of family life that goes beyond assumptions and single stories.
We invite you to join us as a collaborator in this important work. Your involvement is essential in helping us gather insights that lead to better policies, programs, and practices.
As a collaborator, you will:
- Sign up here to become a partner in this initiative.
- Receive a Survey Marketing Kit with links, graphics, and tools to share the survey through newsletters, social media, and your network.
- Get exclusive early access to a preview report of survey results.
Want to Go Deeper? Explore our content, including “The Danger of a Single Story,” which challenges us to move beyond one-dimensional narratives. Visit our Family Insight Dashboard to see what families are telling us and how these insights can transform the way we work together.
Complete the form below to join us in creating a multifaceted, multi-sector approach to supporting families. Every voice matters. Every story counts. We can work better together for families!
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