​What Is A Support Congregation?

A Support Congregation is different from a Host Congregation in that it doesn’t open its facility to host families.  Instead the Support Congregation is partnered with a Host Congregation and provides volunteers to help the Host Congregation during their host week.  Many congregations choose to become a Support Congregation because of space limitations, size of congregation or while adding additional space to their current facility.  This is a great option for these congregations because their members are still able to volunteer and impact local families’ lives without having to commit their building. 

The following are the basic elements needed to be a Support Congregation:         

• Volunteers: A Support Congregation provides needed volunteers for their Host Congregation to help cover volunteer shifts during the host week. There should always be at least 2 volunteers present and generally not more than 6 at a time at the Host Congregation.  All volunteers complete training and orientation before they begin serving.
• The congregation provides a person(s) to serve as the Primary Coordinator to recruit needed volunteers for the host week, attend scheduled meetings and act as the main contact for the congregation. 
• The congregation will consider providing financial support.  The Support Congregation also commits to:  Make a minimum one year commitment in writing.
• Publicize and promote the Family Promise Program within the congregation.  Promote and support fundraising events. 

To become a support congregation contact Family Promise Metro East