Behind every role in child and family well-being is a personal reason for choosing this work, rooted in the shared belief that children deserve safety and belonging. At EmberHope, that belief brings staff together in a commitment to helping families grow stronger and holding on to hope that, even in uncertain circumstances, a different future is possible.
On Monday, September 21, EmberHope Connections staff gathered at Hillside Christian Church in Wichita for Fostering Connections, a morning centered on ‘Reconnecting Your Why‘. With community guest panels, activities, and time with leadership on the program, the gathering offered an opportunity to step back from daily responsibilities and reflect on the people and purpose behind the work.
For Dee Nighswonger, it was her first Fostering Connections event as EmberHope Connections President, and an opportunity to connect more deeply with the team.
“It was such a joy to have everyone together!” Nighswonger shared. “The energy and passion for the work were palpable.”
The morning gave her time to reconnect with staff she had met during onboarding and get to know others she had not yet had the opportunity to meet. Those relationships are part of what makes a shared mission possible: people bringing different experiences, responsibilities, and strengths to the same commitment to children and families.
A Shared Purpose, Grounded in Personal Stories
The theme had been selected before Nighswonger joined EmberHope Connections, but it offered a meaningful opening for her to share what brought her to this work and what continues to motivate her.
“It was nice to be able to share my heart with our team,” she said.
Reconnecting to a personal ‘why’ invites reflection on the values that shape everyday decisions. In child and family well-being, those decisions affect real people navigating complicated circumstances. Taking time to remember that purpose can help staff approach their responsibilities with renewed attention, compassion, and hope.
For Nighswonger, one of the most meaningful parts of the gathering was hearing directly from panel guests with lived experience.
“I was very touched by the panel guests with lived experience. Hearing their stories just reinforced for me, why we do the work we do.”
Their perspectives brought the purpose of the work into focus. Listening to people whose lives have intersected with the child welfare system creates space to consider how services, relationships, and decisions are experienced by the children and families at the center of them. Their voices deserve an active place in the conversations that guide this work.
Every Role Matters
Nighswonger hopes staff left the morning feeling connected to one another and renewed in their commitment to the children and families EmberHope serves.
“I really hope that they enjoyed celebrating their connections with one another and walked away from the morning with a renewed sense of urgency around the work we are doing with vulnerable families and youth.”
That shared responsibility extends across the entire organization. Each role contributes to the team’s ability to show up consistently, respond thoughtfully, and support children and families through times of change.
“Everyone has a critical role in the success of our organization!” Nighswonger emphasized. “No one role or individual is more important than another.”
Her message affirms the value of each staff member’s contribution and the importance of working together. Supporting children and families takes trust among colleagues, respect for different perspectives, and a shared understanding of the purpose behind the work.
Believing in Possibilities
As Nighswonger looks ahead, she wants the Connections team to hold on to the hope that first brought them to this work, even when progress is sometimes difficult to see.
“In child and family well-being work, we are often called to believe in possibilities that we cannot yet see. We meet families and children in moments when their circumstances may tell a story of trauma, instability or uncertainty, but our collective ‘why’ calls us to see behind the present moment.”
That conviction is reflected in the scripture she keeps on her office wall, 2 Corinthians 5:7: “We walk by Faith, not by sight.”
For EmberHope, faith and purpose are carried into the daily work of building relationships and supporting children and families. Fostering Connections offered time to remember that commitment together, and to carry it forward with renewed energy.
Join the EmberHope Mission
Every person who joins this mission brings a ‘why’ of their own. Whether through a career in child and family well-being, fostering, volunteering, or making a monetary donation, there are meaningful ways to help create opportunities for safety, connection, and belonging. Connect with us today to explore how your passion and purpose can become part of this work.
Will you be the one?
