What does mentoring involve?

Homeless mothers face complex problems--abandoment, abuse, addiction, despair, low wages, and a lack of basic job skills.

And yet, the smiple message of Jesus is that you can make a difference by caring for those who are hurting. Mentoring a family is one way you can do this.

If you can be a friend, you can be a mentor to a family who is struggling. Mentoring with Bridge of Hope involves being part of a team of people from a congregation who forms a friendship with one single mother and her children.

Who makes up a mentoring team?

• 8 to 10 people from one congregation
  
• Both men and women
  
• Young and old, married and single
  
• People willing to establish a “ministry of friendship” with a homeless mother and her children
  
• People committed to mentoring for 12 to 18 months while the single mother is involved with Bridge of Hope and working toward financial self-sufficiency

How will I be supported?

• You will receive an initial 4 1/2 hours of training in two evenings
  
• A Match Night evening will be held for your team to meet the Bridge of Hope family.
  
• Through on-going support and training at "Bridge of Hope Nights" (see below for details) over 12 to 18 months.
  
• Through unlimited phone support provided by Bridge of Hope staff.

How much time is involved?      (average of 4 to 6 hours a month)

• A weekly phone call to the woman you are mentoring
  
• A monthly one-on-one activity with the family. You might invite them to watch a video, go grocery shopping together, or do other things you do with friends.
  
• Attend monthly “Bridge of Hope Nights” with the woman you are mentoring and your whole mentoring team. These are held on a designated Monday night each month, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and include dinner and childcare for your children. These evenings are to strengthen the mentoring relationships and for on-going training and support from Bridge of Hope staff.
  

What’s the process for starting a mentoring group in my church?

Step 1: 
Discuss forming a mentoring team with as many people as possible in your church (Sunday School classes, women’s groups, small groups, Mission Committee, etc.).  Bridge of Hope has brochures and bulletin inserts to help publicize the idea and invite people to learn more.

Step 2:
When there are 10-15 interested people, arrange for a Bridge of Hope Q & A time for the group with a Bridge of Hope staff member.

Step 3:
When 8 to 10 people sign up to mentor, call to schedule your two two-hour training sessions.

Step 4:
After your two trainings and when Bridge of Hope has a family for your team, you will meet your family at a fun Match Night.

Step 5:
You are now on official mentoring team, ready to support a Bridge of Hope family!
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For more information call Sue A. Groff, Associate Executive Director

610.380.1360 Ext. 103       717.394.7406 Ext. 103