Celebrating Families: A Journey Together

What is Celebrating Families: A Journey Together?

Celebrating Families: A Journey Together (CF) helps parents and caregivers build safe, loving, and spiritually nurturing relationships with their children. As part of World Vision’s Spiritual Nurture of Children framework, CF supports families to grow in hope, healing, and connection so children can experience God’s love and thrive holistically.

CF equips parents, caregivers, church and faith leaders, and community partners with practical knowledge and skills to strengthen family relationships and create nurturing environments for children. Using a biblically based positive parenting approach for parents and caregivers of children aged 0–18, the programme is co-designed and delivered with local faith partners, promoting local ownership and long-term sustainability.

A husband and wife stand smiling together in front of a church stained glass window

Strengthening Families: Social Norms and Behavior Change

Families are the first place where children learn and internalize beliefs about identity, relationships, faith, authority, and gender. Parents and caregivers shape these norms by modelling behaviours, reinforcing what is acceptable or taboo, and interpreting religious teachings within family life.

These influences can either strengthen children’s dignity and sense of agency or contribute to harmful attitudes and practices. Celebrating Families helps parents and caregivers reflect on the beliefs and behaviours they pass on, encouraging positive, faith-informed approaches that nurture respect, healthy relationships, and the holistic well-being of children.

A group of parents receiving celebrating family training

How it works

Partnerships: Churches, faith leaders, and local organisations are equipped through facilitator training to contextualise and co-own the model. Together they support families, reinforce learning, model healthy relationships, and create safe spaces where families can grow and address challenges.

Interactive Workshops: Parents and caregivers participate in a workshop where they reflect on their hopes for their families and learn practical skills for positive parenting, communication, and nurturing children’s spiritual development across life stages.

Ongoing Support: After the workshops, faith leaders and community partners help establish parent and caregiver support groups, home visits, and family activities. These spaces allow families to discuss challenges, identify solutions, and strengthen practices while reducing harmful behaviours.

These steps help families build protective, loving environments where children experience God’s love.