Live 2 Serve Week was a success! Thank you to all who served.
Since 2005, Safe Families for Children has offered sanctuary to thousands of children, minimizing the risk for abuse or neglect and giving parents the time and tools they need to help their families thrive. The ultimate goal is to strengthen and support parents so they can become Safe Families for their own children.
A Volunteer’s Story
I am a wife, mom of 5 grown children and a grandma of 6. I learned of Safe Families through a friend who had done respite care. Originally, I thought I would want to do respite care as well, but I would be open to wherever there was more need. Thus, the role of family coach!
After I completed the online training and background checks, the first text request was for a grandma of 5 grand kids. I instantly felt led to volunteer as the coach, being a grandma myself (and also a single mom at one point in my life). I felt I was somewhat able to relate with her and could be an empathetic support for her. I also felt God’s timing was perfect.
My role as a family coach was to come alongside the parent (in this case, the grandma) to encourage, listen to, support, etc. It also involved going into the hosting homes every week, to visit with the hosting family on how things were going or if there were any concerns or needs. I would check in and talk with the hosted kids. I loved getting to know these families and their hearts, seeing their kids interact and accept someone else into their home and life, seeing them share their things, seeing them all love on these kids as if their own. I also loved getting to know the hosted kids and seeing how they fit in so naturally, seeing their joy (and sadness of missing their family), running into them at church and just witnessing Jesus’ love surrounding them.
I will not say it has been easy. At times it was extremely difficult and sad. I am still learning where to draw my own boundaries and balance needs and requests. I have learned to listen more, instead of giving unwanted advice. I have experienced joy, sadness, love, disappointment, grace and forgiveness…sometimes all at once.
Although it has been challenging and a roller coaster of emotions, it has also been a time of personal reflection and growth, a time of learning what it really means to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and most importantly, a time of accepting God’s love in the good times and bad times and then passing on His unconditional love to others.
In no way have I been able to do this on my own. The support of my husband, family and others in Safe Families has been such a blessing. It is Christ living through me and others, that it is even possible. I have met so many wonderful new friends within this network of God-loving people, as well as the families who desperately need support and love during a time of crisis.
Although I have been involved with Safe Families just a short time, I have heard this question many times, “you mean there are people out there who want to help me and my kids, voluntarily, without getting paid or anything in return?” That question sums up what Safe Families is all about and I feel very blessed to be a small part of it!
The Ransom Church partners with SFFC in many different capacities. For more information about partnering with Safe Families for Children, contact Angel Metzger at info@theransomchurch.org