“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” (Matthew 25:40, ESV)
Introduction
Safe Families for Children is a volunteer movement that connects the children of parents in distress with host families who have been called to open their hearts, their arms and their homes to serve those in need. The Safe Families experience starts at church, where families are invited to support a fellow family that is working towards greater stability, and to enrich their own life with untold blessings by living out the gospel. By hosting these vulnerable children along with support from the church, this extended family environment helps keep children safe and reunite families.
How Can I Volunteer with Safe Families for Children?
Safe Family volunteers can have a powerful impact in the lives of others while being transformed themselves by practicing biblical hospitality and extending the love of Christ to people in need. To volunteer, contact Joy Sasser our ministry coordinator.
There are a variety of ways to participate:
Host Family
Host Families are volunteers who practice Biblical hospitality by opening their homes to children while their parents resolve short-term crises. This partnering relationship most commonly ranges from 2 weeks to 3 months and serves children under 5 years of age, but can range from 2 days to 1 year and serve children that are newborn to 18 years old. One must be at least 25 years old, emotionally and financially stable, mature, law abiding, healthy, and active. Host families are screened, approved, and trained by SFFC.
Family Friend
Family Friends are volunteer mentors who come alongside parents to encourage and strengthen families in crisis so that they may thrive. Family Friends help to address the problem of parental isolation, which is at the root of why most parents seek out Safe Families. Placement of children is not needed for parents to be connected to a Family Friend. Family Friends can also support Host Families with meals, respite care, transportation, tutoring...
Resource Friends
Resource Friends provide assistance to parents and other Safe Family volunteers through amateur services they can offer such as baby-sitting, transportation and lawn care; professional services they can offer such as physicians, dentists, mental health professionals, barbers and teachers; and physical objects they can donate such as diapers, formula, and gently-used baby equipment and children’s clothing.
Family Coach
You can play a vital role in Safe Families for Children (Safe Families) by volunteering as a Family Coach to help parents get back on their feet. As a Family Coach, you will facilitate the relationship between the Host Family and the Partnering Family with compassion and empathy by helping to manage resources and support, expectations, monitor safety, and listening to thoughts and concerns.