Each week, specially selected older volunteers meet one-on-one with children who need special help--and with their families. Family Friends help these families, often young and overwhelmed, by providing the moral support, stability and guidance of a seasoned elder.

Our volunteers have years of experience rearing children and working with people of all kinds; often they have suffered through personal difficulty and celebrated their own personal successes. Family Friends have worked hard to achieve satisfying lives; their experiences can shape and guide the future of special children and families.

Family Friends spend a morning or afternoon each week in the homes of children in need of special attention and their families, providing encouragement and support. Family Friends always work with the same children, and may spend the time building with blocks, walking to the library, having a picnic in the park, assisting with homework, making sure to help children realize just how important they are.

Interested?
To be a Family Friend, you must:

• be at least 55 years old
• enjoy children
• successfully complete our pre-service training and a police background check.

For your service, you will receive

• pre-service and monthly training
• a modest reimbursement (for those who are income-eligible)
• mileage reimbursement to and from the child's home
• an annual physical examination
• excess accident and liability insurance
• ongoing staff support

Within Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties, Family Friends have served children through a strong network of collaborating human service agencies including learning centers, Family Independence Agencies, Mental Health Agencies, Health Departments and area schools and churches.