A SAFE Place for Homeless Families

This month, I want to talk about a program that helps homeless people that has always been incredible to me. We’ve talked about all the ways to help homeless people by pointing them in the direction of housing. There’s also been discussion of helping children who have been removed from their homes or adults struggling with different problems. Sometimes, though, there are opportunities to help families BEFORE a child gets removed.

There is a non - profit known as SAFE families that does just that. They partner with churches to allow everyday Christians, like you and I, to prevent homelessness and a child being placed in foster care. Churches and Christians become partners who receive current updates on the needs in the community. SAFE families are made aware of those needs and become a bridge for people.

This happens by families being referred who are in the midst of homelessness or struggling with parenting. For example, you may have a homeless single mother and her two kids who need a safe place to stay. You can determine what you feel comfortable with. It could be taking in the mother and children while they get on their feet. You may offer to take in the children while the mother works on things. Then, there is the opportunity to babysit for the mother because daycare can cost more than a paycheck sometimes! There are a variety of opportunities like this constantly available.

The unique thing about this ministry is it catches the problem before kiddos are removed. Child services would really love to see families stay together and less children in care. Organizations like SAFE, when created in a way that truly vets volunteers and families that mentor, can prevent extra trauma for a child. Homelessness happens because of all types of reasons and it could be any one of us. You can be a safety net for a whole family unit. 

We sometimes forget, the Bible calls us - the church - not the government, to care and advocate for those at risk. SAFE and other ministries are merely building a bridge to place caring for people back where it belongs - in the arms of the church. Every church should have a program to assist single mothers and families that are struggling. Maybe your church does. We will conclude our homelessness series next month by talking about how the church and Jesus are always the solution.