Be a Host Family
Host Families will make a lasting impression on a child in need and possible change the trajectory of the family. If you are looking for a truly rewarding experience, consider becoming a host family.
GET INVOLVED
Through the efforts of dedicated staff, passionate volunteers and partnering churches, Safe Families Canada has been able to surround thousands of families with support. This number only represents a fraction of the families in crisis who need a caring, compassionate community. Safe Families Canada needs you!
The impact of Safe Families Canada is dependent on those willing to open their hands, hearts and homes to support families in crisis.
Host Families are part of Safe Families Canada’s Circle of Support model and see their participation as a way of living out the compassion of Christ by caring for the hurting. With this mindset, volunteer Host Families are able to bring the healing dynamic of Christian love to children and families in crisis. They can love the children placed in their care and to embrace them as a part of their family.
Safe Families Canada recruits, assesses, screens and approves the most competent and effective families to care for the needs of children. 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 impact that host families have in the life of a family is significant.
Be a Family Friend
A Family Friend provides support for a parent in crisis. Often the families that SFC serves lack social support and Family Friends will step into that role. This support includes on-going support during and after the placement of a child with a Host Family.
Family Friends are a key component of the Safe Families Canada’s Circle of Support model and work to keep children safe by caring for and supporting their parents. Family Friends seek to increase a family’s capacity to nurture and protect their children, use the resources and opportunities that are available within their community and join supportive networks that enable families to look out for one another.
Family Friends are volunteers that have been screened, approved, and thoroughly trained and are able, to the best of their abilities, to make a one-year commitment to the families they work with.
All Safe Families Canada Circle of Support volunteers are supervised by Chapter Staff.
The impact that family friends have in the life of a family is significant.
Be a Family Coach
Family Coaches are skilled volunteers who help families in crisis reach their goals and provide support to Host Families and Family Friends who are aiding Families in Crisis.
A Family Coach is a vital part of Safe Families Canada’s Circle of Support model. The Family Coach is a part of a group working together to support a Host Family while they host a child and also may have the opportunity to reach out to the child’s parent to help them get back on their feet.
All Safe Families Canada Circle of Support volunteers are supervised by Chapter Staff.
Be a Safe Families Canada Church
The Safe Families Canada model is only successful when it is embraced and adopted by the local church. Churches of all sizes are necessary to providing for vulnerable children within our communities.
The Safe Families Canada’s network of local churches play a vital role both building and sustaining the ministry. Manifesting the love and compassion of Christ by empowering, supporting, training and ministering to Host Families, other volunteers, and Placing Families within the Christian community.
Families who have placed their child(ren) with a Host Family are in a crisis situation and need support, even after their children are returned to them. The participating Safe Families Canada Church is encouraged to minister to them and care for their short-term and long-term needs, whether physical, emotional or spiritual.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour” (Luke 4:18-19).
Be a Safe Families PLUS Mentor
Safe Families Canada PLUS – support older youth (ages 14-21). A significant number of youths in the child welfare system will never be placed in a permanent home and will age out with few supports or opportunities. Many of these young adults do not have the relationships or resources necessary to successfully transition to adulthood. (Hamilton-Halton, Steinbach & Windsor- Essex Chapters only)
Without the skills needed to navigate adulthood, these young people are at risk for human trafficking, gang activity, homelessness, credit fraud, substance abuse, and unplanned pregnancy. PLUS Mentors (Providing Lasting Unconditional Support) are paired with one of these young adults to provide support and guidance in setting and achieving life goals. PLUS Mentors serve as “anchor families” to youth, providing a safety net for them.
PLUS Mentors are thoroughly screened and trained by Safe Families Canada and are expected to commit to at least a year of meeting with their assigned mentee on a consistent basis. All Safe Families Canada Circle of Support Volunteers are supervised by Chapter Staff.
Be a Resource Friend
A lack of basic resources can often be what moves a family into a crisis. Safe Families Canada’s Resource Friends are resource rich individuals who have the ability to share or source services, skills or material goods to support families who are in crisis.
Working alongside other members of a Circle of Support, Resource Friends are called upon to meet urgent needs of a family.
A Resources Friends might provide, or source the following:
- Counsellors
- Dentists
- Doctors
- Educators
- Lawyers
- Mechanics
- Material goods such as furniture, clothing, baby supplies etc
- Practical services such as transportation, lawn care, home improvements, etc.
Resource Friends fill an essential role in the Safe Families Canada’s Circle of Support.
They have been screened, approved, thoroughly trained and are able, to the best of their abilities, to make a one-year commitment to the families they work with. All Safe Families Canada Circle of Support Volunteers are supervised by Chapter Staff.
Be a Ministry Lead
Ministry Leads are based in a local church and are involved in recruiting and supporting volunteers, promoting Safe Families Canada within their church community and acting as a liaison with Safe Families Canada staff.
Volunteer With Us
Are you ready to volunteer with Safe Families? Please fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch!
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
Get answers to questions you may have before contacting us. Visit our FAQs for answers to some common inquiries.