Safe Families for Children, a program of Bethany Christian Services, is seeking caring volunteers to serve as Family Friends. Family Friends come alongside parents experiencing temporary challenges by offering encouragement, practical support, and meaningful friendship. Through consistent relationships, Family Friends help reduce isolation, build community, and remind parents they are not alone.
Whether it's sharing a meal, helping with errands, providing transportation, or simply being a listening ear, Family Friends make a lasting difference through small acts of kindness and faithful presence. By walking alongside parents during difficult seasons, Family Friends help strengthen families and prevent unnecessary foster care placements.
As a Family Friend, you will:
- Build a caring, supportive relationship with a parent or family.
- Offer encouragement through regular phone calls, texts, or visits.
- Provide practical support such as transportation, meals, childcare, or assistance with everyday needs, as appropriate.
- Help connect families to community resources and support.
- Partner with Safe Families staff to help families achieve stability and reach their goals.
- Demonstrate compassion, respect, and the love of Christ through genuine friendship.
Volunteer Requirements
To ensure the safety and well-being of the families we serve, all Family Friends must complete the following approval process:
- Criminal background checks
- Fingerprinting
- Personal interview
- Reference checks
- Completion of virtual training
- Current CPR certification
- Alignment with the Bethany Christian Services Statement of Faith
No professional experience is required. Safe Families provides training, guidance, and ongoing support to equip you to serve with confidence. If you have a heart for building relationships and encouraging others through life's challenges, we invite you to become a Family Friend and help create a community where families can thrive together.
