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Mailman School
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Mission possible: Churches supporting fragile families National Crime Prevention Council This booklet outlines a demonstration parent mentoring program implemented and evaluated at six black churches and three divinity schools in three cities: Hartford, Connecticut; New York, New York; and Washington, DC. Begun as a delinquency prevention model, it is based on the premise that a supportive adult serving as an extended family member in a long-term relationship can help strengthen parents and children to lead healthy lives. The mentors are volunteers drawn from older adult church members. They are trained by pastors with specific guidance and resource assistance from divinity schools. These demonstrations integrated the program into each church's mission, received active support from the pastor, had an assigned coordinator and recruitment plans for mentors and for families, gave ongoing training and support to mentors, and had a system for matching mentors and families. Besides its positive impact on all areas of family functioning, the program strengthened the faith and families of the mentors and their skills in negotiating human service systems, improved the churches' commitment to family and community building, and led to other family support activities that attracted new families to the churches and strengthened relations with other community agencies and organizations. The community also benefited by having a new partner to serve as a resource and advocate for families. For the divinity schools, the program stimulated curriculum changes that emphasized parenting and family strengthening activities. Brief entries describe each site and give a step-by-step plan of action.
National Crime Prevention Council
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Disclaimer Free To Grow is a national program supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation with direction and technical assistance provided by the Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University. |