How can I get involved?

Our supporters consist of volunteers, contributors, and partnering agencies and organizations. We welcome help and support from all sources. If you would like to know more about how to get involved, click on “How to Get Involved” on the left side of this page.

Are donations to Faith Partners tax deductible?

Faith Partners is a 501(c)(3) organization and all donations and gifts are tax deductible.

What is a Volunteer Mentor?

Faith Partners provides assistance to families in need by providing teams of volunteer mentors who help them through the day-to-day challenges of becoming self-sufficient. The teams are tailored to the needs of the client.  Mentoring activities cover a wide range including (but not limited to): help with job seeking; help with family and relationship issues; help with education; participation in family activities; emotional support; friendship – anything it takes to ensure success for the client. The one exception is that mentors may not give financial assistance directly to clients. Mentoring is challenging and deeply rewarding. Our mentors establish close relationships with the families they help, often resulting in long-term friendships. Several of our clients have become mentors themselves, wishing to share their own success with those still in need.

Why is mentoring important?

Welfare reform imposes a two year limit on assistance with a five year lifetime cap. For those experiencing situational poverty because of circumstances such as losing a job, divorce, or illness, such assistance may suffice. For those experiencing generational poverty it is usually not enough. Often times poverty sets in because people were simply not taught basic skills that would enable them to become - and stay - self-sufficient. They were not taught how to see beyond their poverty. In the words of Dr. Ruby Payne – a leading authority on poverty: “There are two pathways out of poverty, education and relationship."

What kind of commitment is expected of Volunteer Mentors?

Our mentors decide for themselves how much time to invest and the types of mentoring activities that interest them. Mentors are always a member of a team so support for a client does not rest solely on one person. Generally, mentors can expect to invest a couple of hours per week over a period of one year.

Does Faith Partners provide training and support for Volunteer Mentors?

Yes. All mentors go through a training program. Each mentoring team is supported every step of the way by our professional staff.

Do I have to be a member of a church in order to become a Volunteer Mentor?

No. We welcome the participation of all community organizations, whether they are of a religious nature or not. Currently, we recruit teams of mentors from community organizations, such as churches, rather than individuals because there are issues related to insurance, etc., which are difficult to accommodate on an individual basis. Also, we have found that mentoring teams composed of individuals belonging to a common organization are the most effective.

Can you provide a presentation to my organization about becoming a partner?

Absolutely! Contact us to set something up.

How do you manage issues concerning religion with clients?

We believe in freedom of religion. We also honor each person’s right to freedom from religion. Each of our mentors must agree, and adhere to the Faith Partners code of ethics which, among other things, governs interactions with clients of a religious nature. To summarize: Proselytization of any kind is forbidden. A mentor may not initiate prayer with a client. If a client requests prayer the mentor may respond as they see fit. If, and only if, a client requests assistance in locating a church or other religious institution for membership, the mentor may provide assistance. The mentor may not, however, participate in bringing a client to a church or other religious institution where they are themselves a member.

Do clients go through any type of training before mentoring begins?

Yes. All clients are required to complete the Crossroads life-skills course before mentoring can begin.