Through the efforts of dedicated staff, compassionate volunteers, partnering churches, and community agencies, Safe Families has been able to surround thousands of families with support.
The Circle of Support Model is unique to Safe Families for Children, bringing together entire communities to surround vulnerable children and isolated families with relational and resource support, keeping parents supported, children safe, and families together. We believe there is a role for everyone to get involved!
Host Families open their homes to children in need, creating safety during crises. Hosting can transform a family’s future while giving volunteers a deeply rewarding and life-changing experience.
Host Families bring the healing power of care and compassion to children and families facing crisis. They can love the children placed in their care and embrace them as a part of their family.
Safe Families recruits, assesses, screens, and approves the most competent and effective families to meet children’s needs. Host Families go through a rigorous onboarding process that includes police checks, third-party references, and a home study assessment. They receive training and serve without compensation.
Once an application is submitted, a member of the local chapter staff will reach out with the next steps.
The Family Friend model walks alongside parents, providing encouragement, mentorship, and relational support to families facing unmanageable circumstances.
Family Friends come alongside parents to provide friendship, mentorship and encouragement. They may assist either parents or host families with:
Respite care: Providing temporary care of children for parents or to assist host families during a hosting.
Transportation: Transporting children to doctor’s appointments, school, home visits, etc.
Meal delivery: Providing a meal to a parent unable to cook or to a host family who could use extra help.
Support: Encouraging a family with prayer support during a difficult time.
Family Coaches mentor assist families to reach their goals, and support Host Families and Family Friends. Their support strengthens families and ensures children experience stability and care.
The volunteer role of family coach is crucial to our support team, as it helps facilitate the relationship between the placing parent and the host family during a hosting. Their two primary areas of service are 1) supporting the host family and ensuring the well-being of the children in care and 2) offering mentorship and guidance to parents in meeting their goals.
Resource Friends share skills, services, or goods with families who lack the necessary resources. By filling these gaps, they prevent crises and help parents stay strong and resilient.
Resources for host families: Many children come into a host home with very few supplies and possessions, therefore the donation of children’s items such as clothing, diapers and formula is very helpful.
Resources for parents: At times parents need the support of material resources to help them during their time of crisis. Items such as gas or food gift cards and clothing are much needed donations.
We keep a list of resource friends whom we notify when a particular need arises.
Get answers to questions you may have before contacting us. Visit our FAQs for answers to some common inquiries.
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