INTERFAITH ASSISTANCE MINISTRY PROVIDES

Faith Link

A grant funded program

FAITH LINK was established in the summer and fall of 1998 in a collaborative effort of the Henderson County Department of Social Services and Interfaith Assistance Ministry, along with members of the County’s faith community. Faith Link provides social and emotional support and advocacy for low-income families-- to help those families become more reliant and productive.

The Faith Link staff screens low-income parents (often single mothers) to determine if they’re appropriate for the program. When applicants are accepted, they are matched with volunteer teams from local faith communities, if possible. (Some families participate in the program without a team, if one is not available.) Faith Link teams are comprised of four to eight people from a specific house of worship.

The Faith Link staff trains the teams, guides the Faith Link Steering and Advocacy Committee, and coordinates with the Work First program though DSS and other community referral and support resources. Faith teams provide social and emotional support, mentoring, recreational activities, assistance with minor home repairs, and occasional childcare and transportation.

Faith link sponsors regular fellowship activities for all the families and teams, usually centered around a meal.

LEEP, Learning Enrichment and Enhancement Program, is another facet of the Faith Link program. Throughout the school year, families meet one night a week for a meal after which the children are tutored one-on-one while the parents participate in a support and training group.

Faith Link administers “Riding on Faith,” a car donation program. Members of the community may donate used automobiles in good, working condition for a possible tax deduction. Preference for the distribution of donated cars is given to those who are in need of transportation to work and school and who do not have access to public transportation.

The Faith Link staff is happy to discuss the possibility of creating a Faith Link team with members of your faith community. For more information on any aspect of the Faith Link program, or to arrange for a speaker to explain the program to your congregation, contact Janna Davis, Faith Link Coordinator, at jd7iam@bellsouth.net or call 697-7029.