The need in the Portland area is staggering… and growing. We hear the cry of these children and ache to respond. But we need your help!

This program will not exist without volunteers – all sorts of volunteers. You determine the time commitment and role that fits best for you.

As a part of our approval process, we’ll provide the training you need to serve in the capacity that you are called to and suited for, as well as offering on-going trainings to support your continued ministry.

Family Coaches

Coaches coordinate placements, help keep track of all the moving pieces and are an integral part of our ministry. They meet with Host Families to ensure they have the support they need, monitor child safety, and talk with the placing parents to ensure they are moving forward and have access to needed resources. Family Coaches are supported by Safe Families staff and can come to them with any questions or concerns. 

Host Families

Host Families open up their homes on a temporary basis (average of 6 weeks) to provide a safe place and loving atmosphere for children in crisis. Respite Hosts can serve to give a Host Family a break during a longer hosting, so they can have a weekend off or go on vacation. Host Families can specify preferred ages and genders, as well as the number of children they can accommodate.

Family Friends and Mommy Mentors

Family Friends support parents in need by befriending, coaching, babysitting, and/or offering moral support until their situation has begun to stabilize - helping them improve their parenting and safe home environment. Safe Families staff will connect you with an at-risk family that would benefit from a healthy support system and mentoring friendship. 

Family Friend Mommy Mentors are moms who match with a young mom in their community for a one-year mentoring relationship. Those interested should start with a Family Friend application, indicating that you would like to be considered for the Mommy Mentor Program or send us a note with the button below.

Resource Friends

Other “Circle of Support” team members - called Resource Friends - help by providing necessary resources for the host and placing families that we are serving (material resources, meals, transportation, childcare, and so much more). They are a vital part of the teams that work to wrap around families in crisis.

There’s room for us all on the Safe Families Team! If you have a creative idea on how to support vulnerable children and their families in the Portland area just give us a call or shoot us an email and we’ll help to match our needs with your areas of gifting. :)