Mentoring
What is a Bridge of Hope Mentoring Team?
Can anyone be on a team?
• If you can be a friend, you can be a part of a mentoring team.
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 over 12 to 18 months.
• Through unlimited phone support provided by staff.
How much time is involved? (average of 4 to 6 hours a month)
• A weekly contact via a phone call, email, card or short visit 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 team 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: Bridge of Hope will call when there is a family for your team, and will plan a Match Night.
Step 5: You are now on official mentoring team, ready to support a Bridge of Hope family!