Family Advocates

I got to meet with and orient a new Family Advocate in my work with TriState Habitat for Humanity today. Family Advocates are volunteers who work with our Partner Families from the time that they are approved as Partner Families until a year after they close on their homes. This is a huge commitment and we are blessed to have so many dedicated volunteers who agree to journey with our Partner Families in this way.
One of the things that I talk about with new Family Advocates is that advocacy is really about "doing with" the Partner Family rather than "doing for" the Partner Family. The most effective Advocates come alongside Partner Families and both hold them accountable to the expectations of Habitat partnership and encourage them. Advocates are the people our Partner Families can lean on for encouragement when they are struggling with balancing their work schedules, family schedules, and trying to complete their 500 hours of sweat equity. However, Advocates are not supposed to do the hours for their assigned families. Sometimes they have to use "tough love" and remind their assigned families of the agreements they made when they signed their letters of intent to partner with Habitat.
Being a Family Advocate is both a great joy and a lot of hard work. It involves a lot of paper work, regular contact with the Partner Family, and commitment to the mission of Habitat for Humanity to give families a hand up rather than a hand out. Advocacy requires a lot of patience, good listening skills, and a passion for working with the poor.
I give God thanks and praise that we have so many wonderful volunteers who feel called to serve as Family Advocates. I am grateful for the help that they give to our Partner Families and for their willingness to be the face of Jesus to them.
Thanks for being a part of my journey!