Needs From: United Way's Volunteer Center

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 checksFingerprintingPersonal interviewReference checksCompletion of virtual trainingCurrent CPR certificationAlignment 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.

Safe Families for Children, a program of Bethany Christian Services, is seeking compassionate volunteers to serve as Family Coaches.

Family Coaches come alongside parents experiencing temporary challenges, offering encouragement, accountability, and practical guidance as they work toward their goals and build long-term stability. Family Coaches develop supportive relationships that help parents feel seen, valued, and empowered. By listening, encouraging, and helping parents stay focused on their goals, Family Coaches play a vital role in strengthening families and preventing unnecessary foster care placements.

As a Family Coach, you will:

Build a supportive, trusting relationship with a parent.Encourage parents as they work toward personal and family goals.Provide accountability and celebrate progress along the way.Collaborate with Safe Families staff and other volunteers to support the family's success.Demonstrate compassion, respect, and the love of Christ through consistent encouragement.

Volunteer Requirements

To ensure the safety and well-being of the families we serve, all Family Coaches must complete the following approval process:

Criminal background checksFingerprintingPersonal interviewReference checksStaff shadowingCompletion of virtual trainingCurrent CPR certificationAlignment with the Bethany Christian Services Statement of Faith

No professional coaching or counseling experience is required. Safe Families provides training, ongoing support, and resources to equip you for this meaningful volunteer role. If you have a heart for encouraging others and a desire to help families thrive, we invite you to become a Family Coach and make a lasting impact in the lives of parents and children in our community.

Safe Families for Children, a program of Bethany Christian Services, is seeking compassionate families to open their homes to children whose parents are experiencing a temporary crisis. By becoming a Host Family, you provide a safe, loving environment while parents work toward stability and address challenges such as illness, homelessness, job loss, hospitalization, or other emergencies.

Hosting is temporary, voluntary, and focused on keeping families together. Hostings can last anywhere from a few nights to three months, depending on the family's needs and circumstances. Parents maintain custody of their children throughout the hosting period, while Safe Families staff and volunteers provide ongoing support to both the child and the parent.

As a Host Family, you will:

Welcome a child into your home for a short-term stay.Provide a safe, nurturing, and stable environment.Partner with Safe Families staff and the child's parent throughout the hosting.Help preserve families and prevent unnecessary foster care placements.Demonstrate compassion, hospitality, and the love of Christ through practical care.

Volunteer Requirements

To ensure the safety and well-being of every child, all Host Families must complete the following approval process:

Criminal background checks for all adult household membersFingerprinting for all adult household membersPersonal interviewReference checksHome inspection/home visitPhysician health clearanceCompletion of virtual trainingCurrent CPR certificationAlignment with the Bethany Christian Services Statement of Faith

No prior parenting or foster care experience is required. Safe Families provides training, guidance, and ongoing support throughout your volunteer journey.

If you have room in your home and heart to care for a child during a family's time of need, we invite you to join our community of Host Families and make a lasting difference in the lives of children and parents in our community.