Mentoring

YOUTH

Through a partnership between DA Blodgett and Volunteers In Service, our youth mentoring program is challenging area church members to become a Big Brother or Big Sister. There are over 400 children waiting for a Big Brother/Big Sister. Contact Bernita Tuinenga at 459-7500 ext. 270 or e-mail to find out how you can "Stand Up and Stand By" one of these children and watch God change your life as you change the life of a child.

SUPPORTIVE FRIENDSHIP

Volunteers In Service connects individuals needing support with caring volunteers from local churches. VIS hears about needs for supportive friends and mentors from social workers, public health nurses, and many other professionals in the Grand Rapids area when little or no other help is available. These various needs are screened by VIS staff and referred to a nearby church that finds a volunteer to begin a helping relationship. These friendship relationships include:

• Visits and errands done for the elderly, disabled or isolated people
• Temporary relief for full-time family caregivers
• Provide mother's helpers for families with new multiple births
• Support for single parents
• Assistance to refugee families
• Stephen Minister

CAR CONNECTION

Transportation issues are a significant barrier that low-income families face in an effort to become self-sufficient. Persons in an active, long-term mentoring relationship with a church volunteer can apply to purchase a donated vehicle for a percentage of its retail value. They must develop a personal budget that reflects the costs of owning and maintaining a car. Learn more

Car Connection includes:

• Placing donated cars, that have been repaired, at low cost with low income families
• Budget planning to support vehicle ownership and maintenance
• Working with mentors towards self-sufficiency
• One time attendance at a car maintenance class

Donate your vehicle!

You can still receive a tax deduction of fair market value for donating your car if it is in fairly good condition and VIS is able to place it with one of our low-income clients. If you or someone you know is interested in donating a good, used car, please call Carolyn Cooper at 459-7500 ext. 250 or e-mail.

Car Donation Form

Service Projects

Service project requests are periodically referred to Volunteers in Service. VIS refers projects to the local church. VIS will also find service projects at the request of a church group. Projects such as:

• Ramp building
• Yard Work
• Minor home repairs
• Food Drives

Equipping

CHURCHES

The Equipping Church Network, a ministry branch of Volunteers In Service, exists to help churches become active participants in neighborhood and community transformation. The primary goal is to establish relational, sustainable ministry with particular communities through local church partners. This is done mainly through the work of congregational coaches who guide appointed leaders and teams through one (or all) of the processes listed below.

ECN Core Processes

• Building Readiness
  
  Focus: congregational and community discovery
  Outcomes: a shared vision for community ministry, the formation of a community ministry team, a designated staff/ministry leader, a "next step" plan that includes at least two new/renewed areas of community ministry



• Building Capacity
  
  Focus: training leaders and deploying ministry teams
  Outcomes: a staff focused on training/equipping and alert to team dynamics, the development of ministry models-tools-resources, feedback adjustments, a long term leadership development strategy, and budget revisions (to support growing involvement in/with the community)
  
  
• Building Coalitions
  
  Focus: establishing congregational and organizational partnerships for community transformation
  Outcomes: regional community development efforts, the formation of church-based nonprofit organizations, the increase of financial resources and volunteer participation in addressing particular community needs

Supporting Strategies

• Bi-monthly Rountable Luncheons: to provide a networking opportunity for church and community leaders that includes shared learning and encouragement
• The Annual Fall Leadership Training Event: to challenge, motivate, and support church leaders in key areas of life and ministry
• Training Seminars: to offer insights, tools, and resources in the ongoing work of church-based community development. Basic topics include ABCD (asset-based community development), cultural competency, team-based ministry, asset mapping, facilitation skills, and discovery-oriented planning.
• Mentoring of Individual Leaders: to assist pastors and ministry directors in the development of their leadership skills. This includes feedback on problem-solving, spiritual practices, and missional imagination.
• Blog Site Posts: to create a forum where emerging insights and transformational practices can be shared

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

Beginning in July 2007, VIS has become the West Michigan agent for the North American Ministry Team arm of Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC). This partnership extends the offering of ECN tools and processes to churches within a wider geography and provides intentional processes and tools to assist West Michigan community development organizations in moving toward higher capacities of ministry and services. This initiative expands our vision of equipping for community transformation.

Training

COMMUNITY MINISTRY ROUNDTABLES

These luncheons are held bi-monthly for people from any church seeking to improve its community outreach by sharing ideas and resources. These roundtables are generally held on the first Thursday of the month from 11:30am-1:00pm at the VIS office. This time of networking/learning focuses on opportunities in community ministry and community development. To attend a roundtable, contact Wayne Squires at 459-7500 ext. 260 or e-mail.

CAR MAINTENANCE CLASS

Our VIS Car Connection Garage Coordinator teaches how to make a car last by applying good maintenance practices. Note this is not a "hands on" class. This one time class is a requirement for those receiving a car through VIS. It is held annually in June and November.

LEADERSHIP TRAINING EVENT (LTE)

Held annually in the fall on the fourth Thursday of September, the LTE provides workshops on a variety of issues church leaders (pastors, deacons, elders, program leaders) may be facing. Registration and ministry fair begins at 6:00 pm, the worship time begins at 6:45 pm. Workshops are led by persons who have handled similar issues creatively and successfully.

PROFESSIONAL PROBLEM SOLVING VIS Referral Coordinators will brainstorm with church staff, leaders and volunteers to find appropriate community resources to help meet needs as they arise. We will also form long-term helping plans to assist individuals in taking next-steps in their lives. VIS also has effective outreach tools and resources available.

CHURCH-BASED MENTOR TRAINING

Mentoring is a proven strategy for promoting positive change, purpose, confidence, and hope. VIS provides Mentor Training for churches desiring to start a mentoring program or looking for ways to strengthen and improve an existing program. This training is also recommended for individuals who are investigating a mentoring relationship.

Resources

BENEVOLENCE

Procedures for Community Benevolence Requests
Aid and Assistance Guidelines - ECFA
Steps to Success
Tools for Benevolence
Using Aid Wisely
Programs that respond to Individual Needs
Sample Benevolence Fund Guidelines
Sample Application for Financial Assistance

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

Volunteer Tips
Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers in Faith-Based Organizations
Volunteer Recruiting Do's and Don'ts
Volunteer Reporting Form
The Care and Feeding of Church Volunteers


DEACON INFORMATION

Community Resources Phone List
Resources VIS can provide to churches
ACCESS Operation Second Mile
VIS Contact welcome letter
VIS Contact job description
VIS Contact procedures for initial visits


FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Grand Rapids Area Budgeting Classes

Barnabas Foundation motivates and equips churches to help believers become faithful stewards of the financial resources God has entrusted to them. We provide resources and expertise in the area of stewardship education and development to encourage Christians on their stewardship journey. Barnabas Foundation also helps Christians plan effectively and give tax-efficiently.

Christian Credit Counselors' Money Harvest Education Department> offers FREE one-to-one coaching on budgets and credit issues and money management, as well offer tele-classes (via the phone 800#) on Planting the Seeds for Prosperity Thinking; Successful Budgeting; and All About Credit. Our Dept Management Program consolidates unsecured debt (usually high interest credit cards) for a low donation.

Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) is an accreditation agency dedicated to helping Christian ministries earn the public's trust through adherence to seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship. Founded in 1979, it is comprised of over 1,200 evangelical Christian organizations, which qualify for tax-exempt, nonprofit status and receive tax-deductible contributions to support their work.

Green Path Debt Solutions is a non-profit consumer credit counseling company that has full service debt management services which include car, home and utility debt, in addition to credit card debt.

New Focus facilitates church-centered "life change" for individuals and families suffering with financial issues. Healthy habits go beyond just getting food or money ... a life change is required to succeed. The solution focuses on learning stewardship by living stewardship with people in need.

PARTNERING AGENCIES

ACCESS is a network of 300 congregations working together to meet needs in our community. ACCESS provides casework services for congregations, oversees the network of one hundred food pantries currently serving over 5,500 families each month and offers Poverty Simulation workshops and other trainings events throughout the year.

The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee is an international relief, development, and justice organization affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church. It is active in North America and in nearly 30 countries around the world helping communities overcome disaster, hunger, poverty, and injustice and work together for a better future.

The Communities First Association is a professional association of intermediary Christian Community Developers providing a supportive learning environment, resources, and tools to those who transform communities.

The Criminal Justice Chaplaincy ministry provides direct services to individuals, families and groups affected by crime; involves churches and community with offenders and families in the system, and encourages restorative justice in corrections.

Good Samaritan Ministries mobilizes churches in Ottawa County toward community ministry--working side by side with government organizations, businesses and non-profit agencies to meet each person's unique needs.

Home Repair Services is working to help lower income families be successful as homeowners.

KIDS HOPE USA will give you and your church a tested, award-winning model to meet the emotional, social, and academic needs of the children in your neighborhood elementary school. Let us help you make a difference in the life of a child!

PARA works to link newly arrived refugees with church cosponsors, individual volunteers, service providers and other community resources to help them in their adjustment to their new home in West Michigan. PARA's one-on-one volunteer opportunities offer opportunities to help refugees with: cultural mentoring, English tutoring and job coaching.

The Pregnancy Resource Center is a Christ-centered ministry working to glorify Him and demonstrate His character as we: challenge people to embrace a Biblical view of sexuality; defend preborn children; meet the needs of those unprepared for pregnancy; and help heal lives traumatized by abortion.

Safe Haven Ministries is a non-profit organization that serves women and their children who are fleeing domestic violence. Through three programs - Ramoth House, Protective Hands, and Raise Hope - Safe Haven Ministries' mission is to protect, support, educate, and empower abused women and their children. Every day, the staff and volunteers of Safe Haven are called to respond to a problem that does not discriminate according to age, race, ethnic origin, religion, or socioeconomic status.

CHURCH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The Alban Institute's mission is to build up congregations and their leaders to be agents of grace and transformation to shape and heal the world.

Allelon is a movement of missional leaders. They are a multi-generational network of missional church leaders, schools and parachurch organizations which envisions, inspires, engages, resources, trains and educates leaders for the church and its mission in our culture.

The Gospel and Our Culture Network aims to explore what these things mean, under the light of the gospel, for the life and witness of the church.

Leadership Network fosters church innovation and growth through strategies, programs, tools and resources consistent with our far-reaching mission: to identify, connect and help high-capacity Christian leaders multiply their impact.

Inspired by Christ's ministry to the whole person, Word & Deed Network (formerly Network 9:35) envisions every Christian congregation to be engaged actively in holistic ministry - leading people to faith in Christ, restoring community, and working for social transformation.

NON-PROFIT RESOURCES

The mission of the Michigan Nonprofit Association is to increase the capacity of Michigan's nonprofits to serve, strengthen and transform communities. The website provides a number of free resources and guides. Membership opens access to a wider selection of tools and best practices.

The Johnson Center for Nonprofits provides a wealth of free resources for nonprofits. Among them are 'good practice guides' and published research on a number of topics including compensation and giving and volunteering in West Michigan. Of particular value is the Community Research Institute, which provides statistical analysis of West Michigan counties, cities and (Grand Rapids) neighborhoods. The center offers a variety of related training opportunities.

Nonprofit Good Practice Guide - the John Center supported 'Good Practice Guide' for nonprofits.

Board Source is a consulting organization dedicated to increasing the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations by strengthening their boards of directors. BoardSource provides resources to nonprofit leaders through workshops, training, consulting, and an extensive listing of materials on nonprofit governance.

Board SourceMinnesota Council of Nonprofits is a good source for a variety of resources, including good practices and nonprofit innovations (see in particular 'Info Central', and 'Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence').

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES

FASTEN - (Faith & Service Technical Education Network) - offers networking opportunities and informational resources to equip faith based practitioners, private philanthropists, and public administrators seeking to collaborate effectively to renew urban communities. The site offers a wealth of 'toolkits' and free articles on related subjects as well as reviews of for sale references.

Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) & Community Organizing - Mike Green has been a practitioner of community development and organizing for more than 25 years. He is affiliated with Jody Kretzmann's and John McKnight's Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) Institute. Mike teaches and consults throughout North America and internationally. Mike's focus is the practical implementation of ABCD principles. His website provides a number of free articles on thee and related subjects. His book When People Care Enough to Act: ABCD in Action is an excellent guide for moving from concept to practice in ABCD.

Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) is a 'big-tent' international association of Christian community developers. It conducts an annual association conference that provides for teaching, exhortation, encouragement, and networking. The annual conferences are typically attended by thousands, and are perhaps one of the most diverse gatherings to be found in this focus area. The webpage provides details about past / coming conferences, resources for members.

Asset Based Community Development Institute provides a lengthy list of guides and publications for asset mapping and community development. Certified ABCD trainers are available.

Communities First Association is a network of professional Christian with a common heart and role: Using asset based community development methods, To: Transform a growing number of communities, and Engage Christians and churches in their community change story. The website contains a number of free videos and tools, as well as a member area for a lengthy set of links to related tools.

RECOMMENDED READING

Branson, Mark Lau. Memories, Hopes, and Conversations. The Alban Institute, 2004.

Dudley, Carl. Community Ministry. The Alban Institute, 2002.

Frost, Michael & Alan Hirsch. The Shaping of Things to Come. Hendrickson Publishers, 2003.

Fung, Raymond. The Isaiah Vision. WCC Publications, 1992.

Lewis, Robert. The Church of Irresistable Influence. Zondervan, 2001.

Perkins, John (editor). Restoring At-Risk Communities. Baker Books, 1995.

Roxburgh, Alan and Fred Romanuk. The Missional Leader. Jossey-Bass, 2006.

Rusaw, Rick and Eric Swanson. The Externally Focused Church. Group, 2004.

Sider, Ron, et al. Churches That Make A Difference. Baker Books, 2002.

Snow, Luther. The Power of Asset Mapping. The Alban Institute, 2004.