Motivated by grace and biblical hospitality

Safe Families Canada works to fill the gaps in child and family support services across Canada. Families who access support from Safe Families Canada may be dealing with financial instability (due to unemployment or the rising cost of living), housing insecurity, substance abuse, incarceration or illness. Motivated by grace, volunteers come alongside families in crisis to help them regain security and provide a safe and caring environment for their children. Their mission “is based on practising biblical hospitality. This is all about giving people a sense of community and love by inviting outsiders to be family.” We talked to Esther Vandersluis, a volunteer and former employee of Safe Families Hamilton/Halton chapter, to learn more. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. 

Christian Courier: How did you get involved with Safe Families Canada?

Esther Vandersluis: I heard about this organization that was stepping up to help families in crisis and I was intrigued. I have a passion for reaching those who do not have a connection with the church, and I loved hearing the vision behind Safe Families. I quickly became a family friend and eventually a family coach. I also worked in an administration role for a time. This was a great joy as I saw firsthand how volunteers were helping families in crisis and sharing the love of Christ.

Biblical hospitality is opening our homes and our hearts to anyone God puts in our path. It is loving with no limits, with the resources and abilities God has gifted us. Safe Families gives us the avenue to connect with those who desperately need community and it allows us to draw others into the beauty of the Church community as we show them love through being the hands and feet of Christ.

CC: In what ways do host families and volunteers support children and their families in need?

Vandersluis: Many families simply do not have healthy support as they go through a crisis, a life transition or as they work on bettering their lives. During these times, a host family can care for the mom and/or dad’s children for short periods. Let’s say the mom is about to have a new baby and needs someone to care for her children while she is in the hospital – a host family can do this. Perhaps a mom might simply need a break to care for herself properly – a Host Family can care for her children for a weekend or a week. In some situations, a host family is needed for a month or two to provide a time of healing for the mom and/or dad. In the meantime, the family in crisis will also have a family coach and a family friend walking alongside them, helping them to reach goals and care for them. This support might mean going for a coffee once a week, helping them declutter a room in their home, taking them to an appointment, etc. Since every situation is so unique, the help given is also unique, dependent on the family in crisis and the volunteer’s capabilities.

CC: If someone is interested in becoming a host/host family, what is the process and what is required?

Vandersluis: The volunteer must meet with the director of the Safe Families chapter, go through training videos, fill out an application form, have references, a police check and a home inspection if they will be hosting children. After this, the family placement coordinator will connect the volunteer with the family in crisis and they will be added to a Circle of Support with all the volunteers who will be involved in supporting this family.

CC: Aside from being a Safe Families volunteer or host family, what are other ways congregations can tangibly support this organization?

Vandersluis: Individuals and churches can also help by providing meals (there is a bi-weekly meal ministry provided for each family supported by Safe Families Canada), delivering meals and other items, providing funds and offering prayer support. There are often occasional needs, such as items for babies, moving help, etc. that the organization will reach out for. Each church that is involved with Safe Families has a ministry lead. This is a volunteer who will connect their church with the needs that arise from Safe Families and keep the church up to date with what is happening in the organization and the families who are being helped.

Additionally, those who volunteer with Safe Families must be supported by their congregations. This can be done with the church leadership and members checking in on the volunteer, asking if they could use support, prayer and welcoming the family in crisis into their church community when possible. The members of the congregation have a responsibility to welcome the family in crisis alongside the Safe Families volunteer to truly understand and experience the community of the church.