Volunteer Training rev. February 2020
What is Family Promise? A national movement that believes we can address family homelessness —right here in our own communities.
What is Family Promise? One sandwich One conversation One idea can change the world. https://familypromise.org/our-story/
Affiliate #142 #6 in Tennessee https://familypromise.org/the-latest/142nd-affiliate-opens-in-tennessee/ First Day Center - Green Meadow UMC First Host Church - Sycamore Tree UMC First Family - couple with teenage son
How do families become homeless? Diapers Day Care Divorce Debt Death Decisions Disaster
Going Home, Emergency Transitional Housing Staying Home Shelter
Transitional Housing Wheels to Work Donated cars Home based shelter - very low rent Family must attend budget class 1 month up to one year Committee decision Intensive case managment and life Monthly fee skills classes Car care kit - AAA - earn gas cards Goal is permanant housing Earn the title in one year
Going Home Staying Home Classes: Child & Parent Art Eating Well Moving More with UT Extension Landlord Relationships Sesame Street in Communities understanding family homelessness Outings with Alcoa Kiwanis
Day Center laundry 101 Pinedale Street showers Maryville TN mailing address laptops and wifi kitchen play room playground storage staff office space meeting space community Little Free Library provided by Alcoa Kiwanis
A place to call home!
Shelter Who is eligible? single parents with children two-parent families grandparents raising grandchildren willing and able to work expectant mothers or couples* willing to follow the program actively engaged in case management able to live in community no drugs/alcohol no domestic violence no warrants/criminal history no untreated mental illness
Safety net Family immediately reduces Case Management vulnerability
Transportation 15 passenger van Day Center mini-van Guests may drive their own car Guests may apply for Wheels to Work Program
How does shelter really work? Volunteers hospitality family style home cooked meals love encouragement support dignity each family has their own room so they can stay together
Churches Host Church Beds Food Volunteers 3 or 4 host weeks per year Support Church Food Volunteers Partners Financial Support Volunteers
Volunteers greet guests by name keep guests privacy and confidentiality consistant expectations boundaries respect parental authority invite guests to church or activities be accepting if they aren't ready for church yet or have a home church
use common sense be flexible where appropriate respect guest privacy communicate with other volunteers on duty communicate with Church Coordinator communicate with Family Promise childcare is parent responsibility offer to assist but don't interfere report abuse immediately and notify Family Promise
Sunday to Sunday Guests arrive 5/5:30 PM Volunteers & Guests share a meal 6-7 PM Typical Line up together everyone fill their own plate Hosting Volunteers provide optional activities games, crafts, homework help, etc. Week Everyone retires for the night at 9 PM Doors to building are LOCKED at 9 PM Guests leave no later than 7 am go to work, the Day Center, school, etc. Guests stay at host church on Saturdays unless they have other plans
Typical Church Coordinator Volunteer Meal Prep 1 volunteer or a group Shifts Dinner Host 5:00 - 8:30 pm 2 volunteers Overnight 2 volunteers ideally 1 male 1 female Saturday Host 2-4 volunteers at a time typically 2-4 hours a shift
Kitchen Host Church Areas cooking serving Dining Lounge Family and Host bedrooms Storage (linens, kitchen staples, etc.) Other playroom study/quiet area Some areas may be OFF LIMITS too! Learn specifics about your host church from your coordinator!
Meal Prep Team Coordinator Report Food Allergies Number of Guests and Ages Number of Volunteers Menu Communicate with your team Online tools like https://perfectpotluck.com/ and https://takethemameal.com/ can help plan and make sure we don't feed our guests spaghetti every night! Not all families allow sweets
Meal Basics meals are served to guests and volunteers together sit down and eat together at family table provide healthy choices when possible encourage guests to help clean up - kids usually love to help! Lunch guests prepare bag lunches for the next day leftovers can be taken for lunch lunch meat, cheese, pb&J, fruit, juice boxes Breakfast weekdays are usually simple cereal, frozen waffles, muffins, coffee/tea, juice, milk
Expectations Guests know the guidelines and sign them Guests are expected to respect congregation property other's opinions time and energy spent by volunteers Guests may not bring fast food to host church its rude to volunteers who have prepared meals If guests have intolerances or allergies, Family Promise will notify the church in advance.
Expectations No smoking in buildings designate an outside smoking area provide container for butts Alcohol or drugs result in dismissal of guest Do not confront guests who are under the influence. Call Family Promise Staff immediately.
2:1 Rule Guests may not leave children unattended Volunteers should never be alone with a child or adult guest 2 volunteers at all times Volunteers may do activities with children but parent must be within eyesight
Medical Emergencies Guests will make their own decisions regarding need to go to the ER Volunteers should not prohibit guests from seeking medical attention Call 911 if necessary Do not transport guests to ER Churches should have a well stocked First Aid kit Emergency numbers should be posted
Medication Guests are responsible for storing all their own medication (Rx and OTC) Guests may not share medication of any kind with other families results in exit from program Volunteers should not recommend medicine Let guests make their own decisions Lock Boxes have been provided for each family by Blount Co Substance Abuse Prevention Action Team - Be Aware Blount Family Promise has the 2nd key to each box
Boundaries Guests must not ask for money or specific items (Family Promise supplies diapers, shampoo, clothing, etc.) Volunteers cannot enter into a business relationship with a guest. Tell FP staff if you know of a job, car, housing etc. Volunteers should be familiar with guidelines Review church specific guidelines If guests disregard guidelines remind them If they continue to disregard report to Family Promise Staff
Exceptions Small gifts given to each family equally Holiday (Easter basket, Halloween treat etc.) Birthday cake/icecream Small items (books, coloring books) Gifts should come from the church, not individuals
Recap: respect guest privacy keep confidentiality report incidents to Family Promise respect parental authority respect personal faith/spirituality Always assume a guest can hear what you are saying don't share what you see and hear
What would YOU do? Mom goes into labor Guest wants to smoke after 10 pm children are arguing, or one is bullying Guest gives another guest a pill Guest is visibly intoxicated Guest has a bug in their room Child goes to the bathroom alone (or shower)
Mom goes into labor If no other family member to drive them, call ambulance and call FP Staff Guest wants to smoke after 10 pm Consistency, "I'm sorry the rule is 9 pm - doors locked" children are arguing, or one is bullying Get both sides – document (have each side/each witness write out) Guest gives another guest a pill Call FP Staff What volunteers have done
Guest is visibly intoxicated Call FP Staff Guest has a bug in their room not an emergency Child goes to the bathroom alone (or shower) what is the age of the child? But don't let 2 children go alone and volunteers must be in sight of another volunteer or parent What volunteers have done
More Training Opportunities Stewards of Children Bridges out of poverty Poverty Simulations ALICE
Partner Agencies
Other ways you can help Social Media "LIKE" us Click "Going" on our events Share Have a Birthday Fundraiser
Other ways you can help Attend our Restaurant Fundraisers Amazon Smile Kroger Houses for Change Check out our Immediate Needs page
705 E Lincoln Rd Alcoa Donate new and gently used items Shop - all funds support our programs Vouchers - we give baby items, household goods, clothing, and furniture to our families at no charge (also to families served in partner agencies)
Questions? Creating a community where every child has a home!
Caroline Lamar director@blountfamilypromise.org April Smith asmith@blountfamilypromise.org Lorrie Crockett lorriecrockett@blountfamilypromise.org 865-233-4737 www.blountfamilypromise.org Creating a community where every child has a home!
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