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HOW YOUR CONGREGATION CAN HELP
There are many ways your congregation can help children and youth in foster care. And the Partners in Service (PINS) program can make it easy for you to do so.
How you ask? By connecting you with a local social services agency that needs your help. The agency’s representative (usually a social worker) will tell you what the children on his or her caseload need, and your congregation can respond to those needs as you are able. It’s that simple!
It’s a wonderful way to put your faith into action. And most importantly, to let children know—through your actions—that someone in their community cares for them.
Some congregations choose to carry out one or more projects each year to meet specific needs (e.g. a back-to-school supply drive). Other congregations prefer to be contacted with specific requests on an ongoing “as needed” basis. Many choose both. Some of the ways PINS partners have helped include:
DONATING GOODS:
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Winter coats and boots
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Sneakers
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Toys and stuffed animals
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Christmas and birthday gifts
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Easter/Spring baskets
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Backpacks, school supplies
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Duffle bags, personal care kits
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Diapers, baby monitors, car seats
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Bikes and helmets
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Sports equipment
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Healthy snacks for children
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Placement packs for children entering foster care, including essential personal items and a few “goodies”
DONATING FUNDS FOR:
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Prom dresses
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Dance, music, or driving lessons
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College application fees
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Camp, class trips
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Braces
DONATING SERVICES SUCH AS:
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Hair cuts
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Senior’s pictures
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Transportation
HOSTING SPECIAL EVENTS SUCH AS:
•A Holiday party
•Thanksgiving dinner
•Valentine’s Day lunch
SUPPORTING TEENS WHO ARE LEAVING FOSTER CARE WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF FAMILY SUPPORT BY:
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Helping them furnish an apartment (e.g. furniture, household items, cleaning supplies)
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Giving them a basket of basic food items to get them started
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Paying their first month’s rent and/or damage deposit
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Helping them move in
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:
Step 1
A congregation contacts the PINS Coordinator to express their interest in becoming a PINS partner.
Step 2
The PINS Coordinator matches the congregation with a social worker from a local social services agency. (Generally one person from the congregation serves as the point person for the social worker, and he or she conveys the children’s needs to the other members of the congregation.)
Step 3
An initial meeting is held between the social worker and members of the congregation to discuss the children’s needs, ways they might meet these needs, expectations, logistics, ongoing communications, plans for a first project, and a longer-term plan.
Step 4
An annual partnership renewal meeting is held to review the previous year’s projects and plan for next year.
For more information, or to schedule a presentation at one of your meetings, please contact:
Rebecca Strader, PINS Coordinator, (802) 241-2123
rstrader@srs.state.vt.us |
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