Volunteers

Family Outreach volunteers are men and women committed to a common goal - helping children grow up safe, confident, and capable of building better families of their own.

They are people who:

- Believe in the ability of others to change
- Understand the need for emotional support
- Are receptive to new ideas
- Respect others for who they are
- Are mature
- Are aware of their own limitations
- Accept that changes in the family will be small
- Do not overreact in upsetting situations
- Have a sense of humor
- Are dependable/reliable
- Are honest about their own feelings
- Can keep a confidence
- Accept that it is ok for others to have different value systems than their own
- Realize that they are not responsible for the actions/decisions of others

Have the willingness to:

- Learn to hold back on "advice giving"
- Be trained
- Learn to be good listeners
- Learn to reinforce positive responses from adults
- Learn to motivate adults
- Learn to model and teach parenting skills

Have the ability to:

- Be patient
- Express themselves gently and supportively
- Be empathetic (non-judgmental)
- Commit to the helping relationship
- Anticipate
- Problem Solve
- Expect the best from others
- Be flexible

As a Family Outreach Volunteer you have the right to receive:

- The highest quality training
- Continuing education opportunities
- Consultation and supervision on casework
- A supportive environment in which to work
- Personal growth
- Recognition for your hours of service