Bridge of Hope

Lancaster & Chester Counties

Ending and preventing homelessness – one church and one family at a time with the help of trained mentoring groups within congregations.

What is a Bridge of Hope mentoring team?

Can I do it?

If you can be a friend, you can be a part of a mentoring team.

Who makes up a mentoring team?

8 to 12 people from one congregation
both men and women
young and old, married and single
willing to establish an on-going “ministry of friendship” with a homeless mother and her children
committed to the mentoring group 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?

Four and one-half hours of training prior to meeting the family you will mentor.
A facilitated Match Night evening where you meet the family your group will mentor.
On-going support and training throughout the 12 to 18 months.
Unlimited phone support provided by Bridge of Hope staff.

How much time is involved? (on average 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. This might be inviting them to watch video, going grocery shopping together, or other things that you would do with a friend.
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 supper and childcare. 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: Arrange for a Bridge of Hope Q & A time for the group with a Bridge of Hope staff member

Step 3: When 8 to 12 people sign up to be in a mentoring team, call Bridge of Hope 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!