Family Services - Family Mentor

Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity is seeking community members to be  Family Mentors.  Each member/small group is paired up to support an individual or family that has been selected by CMHFH Staff and Board of Directors as a homeowner. 

 

Training

-Each Mentor will attend two trainings.  One is to learn about the application form and how to give help in filling out the application.  The second is to learn the role of the Mentor and how to support the partner family.
-Ongoing training sessions will be provided as needed.

Time Commitment
-Remain active a minimum of two years or until the partner family you are matched with has been in their home for one year.
-Attend all trainings
-Attend at least one public information meeting per selection cycle.  Selection cycles happen 1-2 times per year.
-Once matched with a partner family, support continues through their partnership phase and one year after the family has become a homeowner.
-Attend committee meetings held every two months during the partnership and homeowner phases.
-Attend important events such as the groundbreaking, dedication, and closing with your partner family.
-A phone call or visit with your partner family at least once a month.
-Attend important meetings with Habitat and the partner family (such as: partnership agreement meeting, house planning meeting(s), and mortgage meeting.)
-Whenever possible, attend homeownership classes with your partner family.
-Whenever possible, volunteer with your partner family doing sweat equity hours.

Responsibilities
-Help coach applicants in filling out an application at a minimum of one public information meeting per selection cycle.  Selection cycles happen 1-2 times per year.
-Build a rapport with the partner family you have been assigned.
-Assist in communication between Habitat for Humanity and the partner family. -Help the partner family find sweat equity opportunities and ensure that the family is on track with completion of sweat equity.
-If possible, provide treats along with the partner family at the groundbreaking and dedication ceremonies.
-Attend important meetings, homeownership workshops, and sweat equity opportunities as outlined above. 
-As needed, help prepare the partner family for media interviews.
-Involve the family in "building community" by meeting their prospective neighbors and other Habitat families.
-Encourage your family to tap into appropriate community resources.
-Contact the family once per month.
-Help the family with the final move and the tasks that accompany it.
-Guide the family through the process of becoming an independent homeowner.

Qualifications
Note:  These are all items that volunteers will be trained in:
-Understanding of the Habitat for Humanity mission.
-Knowledge of the partner family phase and requirements.
-Understanding of the challenges low-income families face.
-Ability to provide support and guidance to enable a family to navigate the responsibilities of homeownership.
-Familiarity with resources available in the community.

To Apply
Contact the Family Services Director at (320) 656-8890.