thrivelightsWhen a couple in crisis faced job loss, homelessness, and separation from their children, Thrive Lights helped them identify strengths, set their own priorities, and create a plan. With support, they rebuilt stability and regained custody.
Families Move Further When They Set Their Own Priorities in North Carolina
In Cabarrus County, North Carolina, a couple found themselves in crisis. They had both lost their jobs. Health problems pushed them into homelessness. Worst of all, they lost custody of their children.
A Different Starting Point
The team at the Cabarrus County Department of Family Services could have stepped in with ready-made solutions. Instead, they chose a different path. They invited the couple to complete Thrive Lights, a visual self-assessment that helps families see their strengths and challenges in one place.
The results shifted everything. By taking the survey, the couple could see where they already had assets to build on and where their greatest challenges were holding them back. Most importantly, they chose their own priorities and created a plan they believed in.
Small Steps, Big Impact
The plan began modestly but carried hope. They parked a donated camper van on a relative’s unused land and started building a home. They sought medical care to address their health challenges. They applied for jobs with renewed determination. With the agency’s support, they went before a judge and presented the plan they had created themselves.
The judge was convinced. Custody of their children was restored.
Why It Matters
The family rebuilt their future step by step, not because someone told them what to do, but because they were trusted to choose what mattered most.
The agency learned an equally important lesson. They saw how much more impact they could have when families set their own priorities and lead their own plans. Inspired by this success, Cabarrus County expanded the use of Thrive Lights across all departments so every family they serve can chart their own path from surviving to thriving.
About Cabarrus County Department of Social Services
The Cabarrus County Department of Social Services is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all residents through compassionate, professional service. By offering programs in adult and family support, child welfare, and economic services such as food, healthcare, and transportation assistance, the department helps families build stability and work toward greater independence and well-being.