Our church is interested in starting a mentoring program for low-income adults. What model programs/organizations can we learn about to get some good ideas about what kind of initiative to launch?
Since the passage of federal welfare reforms in 1996, there has been an explosion in church-based mentoring initiatives. This kind of community ministry builds on one of the key assets of congregations: their people. As Harv Oostydk, a 30-year veteran of urban ministry, has commented, often what a poor person needs more than anything else is a friend. Social workers who staff local government social welfare agencies that assist low-income families often agree. Not surprisingly, many new government-church partnerships have been established since 1996 to mobilize individuals from congregations to provide practical help and emotional encouragement to families making the transition from welfare to work. Our research has uncovered several examples of effective church-based mentoring programs, including:” Family to Family Mentoring – based in California http://www.ftfmentoring.org/html/about.htm” Bridge of Hope – based in Pennsylvania http://bridgeofhopeinc.org/model/mentoringgroup.cfm” Jubi
Since the passage of federal welfare reforms in 1996, there has been an explosion in church-based mentoring initiatives. This kind of community ministry builds on one of the key assets of congregations: their people. As Harv Oostydk, a 30-year veteran of urban ministry, has commented, often what a poor person needs more than anything else is a friend. Social workers who staff local government social welfare agencies that assist low-income families often agree. Not surprisingly, many new government-church partnerships have been established since 1996 to mobilize individuals from congregations to provide practical help and emotional encouragement to families making the transition from welfare to work.
Related Questions
- Our church is interested in starting a mentoring program for low-income adults. What model programs/organizations can we learn about to get some good ideas about what kind of initiative to launch?
- How is Building Blocks Mentoring Program different from other mentoring programs?
- Why Start a Mentoring Program?
