Sharron Whitaker, MS, LBSW, IPR-S started her journey in social work in 1974. Her passion for helping others had always been at the core of who she was. Sharron had a desire to help others connect, strengthen and grow their families. In 1975 Sharron began her work in adoption; writing adoption and foster family home studies, assisting birthmothers in developing a plan for themselves and often for their babies, and helping families work through the adoption process. She was passionate about recruitment of Black families for Black babies. As her passion for social work grew so did her desire to work with families who were involved in the Child Welfare System. She would eventually find herself supervising and directing non-profit family preservation programs. During Sharron’s professional journey, she recognized the disproportionality involving families of color living in marginalized communities, resulting in the displacement of its children. Sharron recognized a need for culturally specific services for families who were disempowered due to race, economic status and where they lived. For many years Sharron felt a calling to address this inequity by providing services that prepared families with strengths needed to advocate for their own familial needs.

In 2003 she stepped out on faith and founded Family Care Connection. The agency was founded out of her desire to strengthen families of color, living in marginalized communities where few services existed, and most were not culturally specific to the needs of the community. Over the last 21 years, Family Care Connection has provided services primarily to young families living in marginalized communities, through education, resources, counseling, and advocacy that promotes responsible parenting, and strengthens self-worth and safety within familial relationships. Under her leadership, Family Care Connection was awarded state, federal and city funding to provide parent education, prenatal education, counseling, case management and domestic violence prevention and intervention services. 

Mrs. Whitaker states her personal mission is to leave a legacy of “providing helping hands that comfort, strengthen and encourage wholeness of life to hurting people” 

MISSION

Our mission is to preserve the family unit through the provision of community support, education, and advocacy. Family Care Connection is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community-based organization, that provides prevention and early intervention family strengthening services in English and Spanish to families at no cost.

VISION

Family Care Connection strives to positively influence the direction of the next generation by reducing the incidence of family violence and removal of children of color from their homes. We accomplish this goal by increasing protective factors and building resiliency in families living in marginalized communities.

VALUES

Family Preservation

Families develop healthy decision-making skills, conflict resolution, and responsible parenthood.​

Family Empowerment

Families develop healthy lifestyles, support networks, increased connection with community resources, and skills to advocate for child/familial needs.

Family Enrichment

Families develop viable and satisfying relationships that value concepts of commitment, cooperation, and responsibility.​