Volunteer FAQ

How can individuals, groups, and churches get involved?

• Women in our program can use gift cards of all types including Wal-Mart, Target, gas and grocery stores.
• Conduct your own fundraising event to benefit Bridge of Hope:  a spaghetti dinner, a craft show, or whatever interests your group.  (Call the office for information and guidelines.)
• Schedule a 30 minute Bridge of Hope presentation at your church to learn more about the important role local congregations play in partnership with Bridge of Hope Centre County.
• Ask your congregation to support Bridge of Hope with an annual financial gift or take up a special one-time offering for our ministry.
• Offer your time by serving on our board of directors, helping with fundraising events, and volunteering for special projects.
• Become part of a Bridge of Hope mentoring group.

Who is in a mentoring group?

• Eight to 12 people from within one congregation
• Women and men, young and old, married couples and singles
• People who are willing to establish an ongoing ministry of friendship with a homeless single mother and her children
• Individuals who have been trained to mentor homeless families and have made an initial commitment to befriend the family during the 12 to 18 months the woman is in Bridge of Hope and working towards financial self-sufficiency

How much time is involved?

• Weekly phone calls to the woman being mentored
• Monthly individual activites with the woman and her children (such as watching a video, going grocery shopping or other things friends do together)
• Monthly attendance at Bridge of Hope Nights with the woman being mentored and the whole mentoring group (designed to strengthen mentoring relationships and provide ongoing training and support from Bridge of Hope staff)

Can anyone do it?

• If you can be a friend, you can be part of a mentoring group!

How are mentors supported?

• Four and one-half hours of training prior to meeting the family who will be mentored
• A staff-facilitated "match night" at which mentors and the family meet
• Monthly support and training by staff throughout the 12 to 18 month program
• Unlimited staff phone support for mentors

What's the process for starting a mentoring group in my church?

• Discuss forming a mentoring group with people at your church to see if there is interest.
• Arrange for an information meeting with a Bridge of Hope staff member.
• When there are 8-12 people committed to becoming a mentoring team, Bridge of Hope will provide a 2-hour training session.
• Your mentoring group will be matched with a family.

To schedule a 30-minute Bridge of Hope presentation at your church, contact Regina Diller at 814-237-4673 or execdirbohcc@gmail.com.