YoungLives Handbook - Flipbook - Page 21
ESSENTIAL # 6:
YOUR VOLUNTEER
TEAM
Every YoungLives (mom and dad) ministry needs a diverse group of mentors, committee members,
childcare volunteers, and adult helpers that reflect the adolescent parents and the community being
served.
The four most important roles you will need to fill before you can start reaching adolescent parents are:
Mentor/Leader: Women or men committed to pursuing and loving adolescent parents through
contact work, club, and Campaigners.
Committee: A group of local adults who care about kids and are committed to Young Life’s
mission. Committee is active in supporting the local ministry by fundraising, securing
administrative resources, and encouraging staff.
Childcare volunteers: Men and women who can provide a consistently safe and caring atmosphere
for the children of teen moms following policies in the childcare handbook. Club Childcare
Handbook in process. Stay tuned!
Adult helpers: Men and women who provide transportation, bring dinner, set up and clean up, run
crafts, and do other behind-the-scenes jobs for events.
RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS
Whether you are looking for mentors, committee members, childcare volunteers, adult helpers or all of
the above, the same basic principles apply to volunteer recruitment.
1.Share the story. Present the story and needs of YoungLives in various group settings, such as
churches, Bible study groups, women’s and men’s groups, friend and family gatherings, other
community agencies and organizations, etc.
2. Invite adults who reflect the adolescent parents you are serving. Besides presenting the vision
within the community at large, start brainstorming about people you already know who could be a good
fit for YoungLives. Be prayerful and intentional about recruiting people who could fill specific roles.
Don’t be afraid to share your vision with personal friends and family and to inspire them to get
involved. Sometimes people need to be reminded of their unique gifts and shown how valuable their
gift set could be in meeting specific needs. Encourage any existing volunteers to think about any of
their friends and family who might be a good fit.
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