by Rachel Shuster
Growth and nourishment are aided by connection. Psalm 1 reminds us that we can experience growth in God through regular connection to His Word and time meditating on His law, “like a tree planted by streams of water” (Psalm 1:3).
Likewise, social connection provides a key ingredient to nurturing a healthy family. God has transformed the lives of families in crisis through a vital, church-based ministry supported right here at Eastbrook.
Safe Families for Children is a national nonprofit that aims to stabilize families and keep them together. The organization provides services and support to families who retain custody of their children, to help keep them out of the child welfare system; if Child Protective Services is involved with a household, Safe Families cannot be.
That Family in Need may be experiencing any number of situations leading to social isolation, including housing issues, job insecurity, mental health struggles, substance abuse, or single parenthood. Many find out about Safe Families through word of mouth—a referral from a friend, social worker, or even a social support organization like Milwaukee’s Sojourner House or Children’s Hospital—and contact the organization to connect them with a network of support.
Anneke Theis is Eastbrook’s Ministry Lead for Safe Families, a liaison of sorts between the organization and our church. She says Eastbrook is uniquely situated and positioned to serve in this way. “A huge part of why Safe Families as an organization is partnering with Eastbrook is because of our location in Milwaukee and connection to the city!” she says. Our location in the city has the potential to provide care for families that are currently not able to receive the care they need. The waiting list is long, and Eastbrook can help.
Theis and her husband got involved with Safe Families five years ago as a host family who provided respite care. Kids came into their home for a few weeks or months before rejoining their families, but Theis says hosting alone simply gave parents a chance to take a breath, rather than providing lasting relationships that helped their family to find healing and wholistic support.
Now, a few years later, Safe Families has tweaked its model to fuel social support through hospitality, compassion, and generosity. In-home hosting can be an element of support, but it’s not the primary focus any longer.
“The goal is relationship, friendship, and support,” Theis explains. “It’s not just to give you respite, but to get you out of social isolation and provide you with someone to talk to and lean on.”
Safe Families operates using a model called the “Circle of Support. (see diagram above). Volunteers are trained to walk alongside a family in need in one of three roles:
- Family Friends provide support to the Family in Need. This can look different depending on the situation, but primarily focuses on friendship and social connection. Down the road, this relationship could also potentially incorporate in-home hosting for children while parents get back on their feet.
- Family Coaches connect the Family in Need to any resources that may help them reach their goals, as well as supporting volunteers while in service.
- Resource Friends donate goods (diapers, meals) and provide services (prayer, carpooling) as wraparound support for their team.
This “community of care” is a true team effort, benefiting all involved.
Right now, the amount of families in need around Milwaukee exceeds the available volunteer pool. The good news: anybody can step up to help! Given the sensitivity of certain family situations, volunteers do need to pass a background check and sign a confidentiality agreement. Safe Families provides all of the necessary training, around four hours taking place at one of various area churches who host sessions throughout the year.
Beyond those safety and security requirements, the primary qualification to get involved is a desire to support a parent who needs help.
“Sometimes missional opportunities through Eastbrook can feel big and overwhelming,” says Theis, “but it can also be a beautiful thing. The ask is simple: can you be a friend? Out of that flows everything else.” ■
Are you interested to learn more about how you could partner with a family in need of support? Contact Anneke Theis, anneketheis07@gmail.com, to discuss your options and take your next step with Safe Families.
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