Is Safe Families for Children A Good Fit For Your Church?
Safe Families for Children (SFFC) is a movement of hundreds of families of faith who have opened their homes to care for children whose parents are struggling. SFFC has proven to be successful when it is embraced and adopted by the local church. Churches of all sizes are vital to providing for vulnerable children within our communities. Following are a few of the opportunities that churches have adopted when adding Safe Families for Children to their church ministry programs.
Introducing Safe Families to your church
Contact Susan Herman at Susan@helponechild.org for assistance in arranging to:
- Show this presentation and program summary to your mission team and/or children’s pastor
- Provide an information table and sign-up opportunities for congregants interested in learning more about becoming a Host Family of Family Friend
- Host a Safe Families for Children orientation at your church
Establishing a Safe Families for Children ministry
To embrace the Safe Families for Children movement and establish it as a ministry in your church, here are some steps that Help One Child can help you to take:
- Identify and recruit Host Families in your church
- Offer support services to Host Families within your church such as: babysitting or childcare, transportation assistance, running errands, helping with meals, physicians, dentists, etc.
- Develop a resource closet for Host Families stocked with diapers, formula, clothing, school supplies, car seats, high chairs, etc.
- Provide volunteer case coaches (2-5 hours per placement per week)
Here are some possible resources that are likely, currently available within your church family:
- Parenting/Skills Classes
- HousingRecovery
- Life Skills Training
- Small Groups
- Education
- Transportation
- Babysitting
- Baby/Children’s Clothing
- Parent Support
- Moms Group
- Benevolence
- Lay Counseling
- Professional Services
- Medical
- Psychological
- Legal
- Tutoring
John Ortberg encouraged his congregation to engage in “entrepreneurial, risk-taking movements of outreach” and agrees that Safe Families for Children is the kind of innovative role the church can play to make a significant difference in our communities.
–Senior Pastor at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church
Former teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church
(anchor church for Safe Families for Children)
See what churches are already in support of Help One Child! For more information click here, visit the SFFC website, or contact the ministry of Help One Child at (650) 917-1210.