What, Why, and How the Multi-Gen Approach is Special

When a family loses their home, it is rarely an isolated event triggered by a single setback. It is usually the result of challenges and inequities that span generations. Moreover, studies have shown that the disruption, stress, and chaos of unstable housing can create compounding, lifelong disadvantages – especially for children – that help perpetuate the cycle.

At FMF, we believe that addressing the needs and development of the whole family is crucial to breaking the cycle of homelessness and enabling a family to thrive. That's why we center our work around a two-generational – now, often multi-generational model – that simultaneously invests in the well-being, skills, and stability of both children and their adult caregivers. Rather than treating symptoms one person at a time, the research-backed multi-gen approach recognizes that a parent's economic stability strengthens their child's development, and a child's growth reinforces the resilience of subsequent generations.

For our youngest guests, early intervention is everything. We offer all children age-appropriate developmental screenings shortly after entering our program and encourage parents to take advantage of this resource. These screenings allow us to identify gaps early and collaborate with parents and caregivers to create individualized plans that connect children to specialized services – including occupational, behavioral, and speech therapy – through our network of trusted community partners. This also affords opportunities to educate and mentor adults on how to support their children and advocate on their behalf.

Our Children Services team works with volunteers to maintain a fun and safe learning environment for toddlers and preschoolers while parents attend evening programming. We help school-age children stay on track with their peers through our volunteer-led Study Buddies program, which offers homework help plus literacy and STEAM enrichment. We also help families connect with quality childcare, aftercare, and summer camps, and teen guests are invited to participate in our Teen Fellowship program. This curriculum provides a bridge to the future: college tours, leadership development, career exploration, and workforce readiness programming designed to open doors that systemic hardship can so often close.

This focus on children makes FMF different from other programs for families experiencing homelessness. Of course, a family can’t thrive if parents or caregivers are struggling.

Our adult guests work alongside dedicated case managers to set goals around housing, employment, and long-term self-sufficiency. Beyond one-on-one case management, we offer a rich range of workshops – covering financial literacy, tenant and landlord rights, workforce readiness, and more. Programs like self-enrichment & care and community support groups also ensure that guests have space to process, connect, and heal – not just plan and work.

Additionally, we offer programs and resources on child development and parent/child attachment. We know homelessness places enormous strain on family relationships and strengthening the bond between caregivers and children is itself a powerful protective factor. We also try to feature programming like healthy cooking demonstrations where families can participate together, providing space to learn and grow alongside each other.

What makes this model work in practice is its flexibility. Every family that comes through FMF's doors carries a unique constellation of strengths, challenges, and goals. Our multi-gen approach is not a one-size-fits-all curriculum — it's a framework for truly tailored support. Case managers and coordinators work closely with each family member individually, ensuring that referrals are relevant and timely, that programming feels accessible rather than overwhelming, and that everyone is given the opportunity to thrive. Critically, all these services and referrals are provided at no cost to our guests — made possible in large part by the generosity of community volunteers and partners who share our belief that every family deserves a real shot at stability.

This model might be rare, but the results are not. Evidence from organizations like the Aspen Institute documents how integrated, family-centered models produce better outcomes across health, education, economic mobility, and housing stability in comparison to siloed, individual-focused interventions. While we continue to advocate for families here in Durham, we also encourage more organizations serving families to adopt a multi-generational model to ensure that our communities build strong foundations and adequate support for all.

Financial Literacy

Financial literacy is more than just understanding money – it’s the ability to make informed, confident decisions about earning, spending, and borrowing. It consists of skills, knowledge, and behaviors that support long-term financial well-being. Without financial literacy, navigating everyday choices like budgeting for housing, groceries, transportation, childcare or managing debt AND working toward long-term goals of education, retirement, and/or generational wealth, are impossible.  

Despite how essential these skills are, financial literacy remains a significant challenge across the United States. On average, Americans only answer about 48% of financial literacy questions accurately.  Younger people score even lower; members of Gen Z only answer about 38% of questions correctly.  

Financial literacy is also closely tied to income. National research consistently shows that individuals with lower incomes are significantly less likely to have a strong understanding of basic financial concepts like interest, inflation, and risk. These disparities can start in childhood, with students from higher-income households demonstrating stronger financial knowledge than their peers. Because financial habits and knowledge are often shaped at home, limited access to financial tools, resources, and education can create a cycle where gaps persist across generations. This has real world consequences. 

Young adults only learning about money for the first time through trial and error cost themselves an estimated average of $1,015/year in mistakes or missed opportunities. Without access to financial education, families are more likely to experience stress, debt, and barriers to long-term goals. 

While financial literacy alone cannot solve the structural causes of poverty, it is a critical piece of the puzzle. When people have access to the tools and knowledge to make informed financial decisions, they are better positioned to build stability, navigate challenges, and create new opportunities for themselves and their families.  

At Families Moving Forward, we see financial literacy as a foundational part of building lasting change. Through our educational programming and case management, families gain practical tools like budgeting, credit awareness, and goal setting. We also engage children in learning some of these skills early. Programs like our Kids Store and Decision Dollars create hands-on opportunities for children to practice saving, spending, and prioritizing—helping them build self-reliance and healthy financial habits from a young age. 

Ultimately, financial literacy is about empowerment. When families have the knowledge and tools to make informed financial decisions, they gain more than stability; they gain choice, confidence, and the ability to plan for a future they define for themselves. 

Take a quick financial literacy quiz to see where you stand: https://www.finra.org/financial_knowledge_quiz 

Want to read more about financial literacy? Check out these links: 

“Americans Want — and Need — Financial Literacy | American Bankers Association.” Aba.com, 2025, www.aba.com/news-research/analysis-guides/americans-financial-literacy. 

Caporal, Jack. “Financial Literacy Statistics: The Average American Scores Just 48%.” The Motley Fool, 9 May 2025, www.fool.com/money/research/financial-literacy-statistics/. 

“Financial Literacy Gap | Literacy Ledger.” Literacy Ledger, 2025, www.literacyledger.com/financial-literacy-gap. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.