A home for every child. A community for every carer.

OUR VISION

Every child in a healthy family.
Every family in healthy community.

The Homeward Project is a movement of ordinary Australians committed to serving vulnerable children and families in our local communities.  

Everyone has a part to play to ensure that every child experiences the welcome, stability and care of a home and community where they can thrive. 

We provide pathways, resources, and support to help people take practical next steps to help create communities where people are not walking through hard things alone.

OUR MISSION

Connected communities of support for children and families. 

We exist to inspire and equip Australian Christians to participate in a holistic response to the needs in our Out-of-Home Care systems.

We provide a bridge between child protection systems and churches, illuminating pathways to effectively serve vulnerable children and families in local communities. 

We work across a continuum of prevention through to response. We want to support families early, enabling them to thrive. We also want to provide loving, well-supported foster families while the best long-term plan for children is found. 

We equip churches to learn, mobilise, and serve, to help transform their local community.

Awareness 
We share stories, start conversations, and offer training to help people better understand the realities of Out-of-Home Care and the roles people can play in making a difference. 
 
Pathways 
We create accessible pathways for churches to engage and clear next steps for individuals to be involved in ways that are practical, sustainable, and suited to their local context. 
 
Resources 
We provide tools, guidance, and support designed to help people respond with confidence, wisdom, and care. 

Supporting children and families well takes collaboration.

We work in partnership with churches, Out-of-Home Care providers, and community organisations to strengthen local support networks by connecting and supporting those already serving across the sector. By coordinating shared efforts and creating clearer pathways for engagement, we help churches move from good intentions to sustainable action. 
 
We desire that our values and beliefs would be reflected in how we work, which is informed by:  

  • The best interests of the child 
  • A trauma-informed and strengths-based approach
  • Partnership and collaboration
  • A holistic, connection-centred approach
  • Hope for reconciliation and restoration 

We believe lasting change happens through collaboration, not competition.

The Homeward Project coordinates and contributes to a network of organisations, leaders, and churches serving children, carers, and families across Australia. Key Partners include:  

ARK Australia 
ARK Australia is a network of peer-support communities dedicated to providing family and belonging to vulnerable kids through foster care and adoption. 
Learn more about ARK Australia 
 
Fostering Hope 
Fostering Hope exists to reflect Christ’s love by supporting at-risk children and those who care for them. 
Learn more about Fostering Hope 
 
You Parties 
You Parties is an easy-to-use resource for local churches to help them partner with foster families & celebrate their foster children.  
Learn more about You Parties 

OUR IMPACT

What we’re working toward

Stronger families, supported before crisis occurs through connection and community 
Stable, loving homes where children experience safety, belonging, and care 
Equipped and sustained carers who are supported for the journey 
Children and young people with a care experience who are able to flourish 
Churches known for welcome, compassion, and care for vulnerable children and families 

Every child deserves the safety, stability, and belonging that comes from being surrounded by caring families and communities. 

There’s a place for everyone.

Whether you’re leading a church, exploring foster care, supporting a carer, or simply wanting to make a difference — you don’t have to have everything figured out to take a next step. 

For Individuals

Discover the different roles you can play in supporting children, carers, and families in your community.

For Churches

Learn how your church can support vulnerable children and families in practical, sustainable ways.

Stay Connected! Get stories and updates from The Homeward Project delivered to your inbox.  
Newsletter Subscription Form