Guided by Faith, Rooted in Justice
Our goal is to keep families whole, offering pathways to stability and well-being that respect their cultural identity and lived experiences.
"Our work keeps families together..."
- Kelis Houston
Proven Results
AAFPA Pilot
Hennepin County Children and Family Services (CFS), in partnership with Village Arms, piloted the African American Family Preservation Act over a 3-year period (2020-2023). The program was aligned with the County board’s direction and strategic goals in three critical areas:
* Child well-being transformation
* Disparity reduction
* Addressing racism as a public health crisis
Narrative: The pilot was designed to keep African American families whole by providing unbiased, equitable, and culturally specific services. Village Arms Liaisons acted as essential intermediaries between families, social workers, and the legal system to help overcome systemic disparities.
Thriving Families,
Strong Communities
Village Arms is dedicated to building community capacity, strengthening the village, and creating a network of support where every family feels seen, valued, and able to overcome adversity. We focus on the empowerment of families, encouraging them to create their own solutions. We believe that African American families have the wisdom, strength, and resources to thrive, and our role is to support them.
Collaboration, Collective Responsibility
Our work at Village Arms is collaborative and rooted in the belief that “the village is responsible for the village.” We understand that sustainable change requires collective effort.
We work alongside community members, organizations, and policymakers to create solutions that reflect the needs of our community; reshaping systems that have historically harmed us
Our Core Values
Faith
"We hold on to the hope of a better tomorrow, trusting that with faith, transformation is possible."
Family
"The family is the foundation on which healthy children flourish."
Community
"The village is responsible for the village."
