Micheline Malson Resources

Mentor Team/Family Covenant

(Excerpted from Malson, Micheline R. and Putnam, Kathleen K., Families First: A Guide for Your Journey, May 2000. Used with permission.)

Date:

Congregation:

Leader/Church Staff Person:

Family Liaison:

Family Participant:

The [name of your mentor program] program is a voluntary program.  The family named above has made a decision to begin a relationship with a mentor team.  The mentor team and the family named above agree to enter into a special covenant for a period of one year [or length of  your program] this date.  The general purpose of this covenant is to establish a bond of mutual love and respect between the family and the mentor team in order to holistically support the family.   The role of the mentor team is not to dictate to the family, but to provide guidance and support as the family moves to fulfill its goals.

The mentor team family liaison agrees to offer support during the entire partnership period.  The mentor team liaison will communicate with the family at least one time per week.  The liaison will work with the other team members in order to surround the family with faith, hope, love, and to provide concrete assistance where possible.  The mentor team will observe the confidentiality of the family as indicated in a separate agreement.

The family partner agrees to be honest and open with the mentor team and to sincerely work towards self-sufficiency.  S/he will make him/herself available to work with the mentor team throughout the covenant period.  The family partner is not compelled to attend worship services or participate in religious ceremonies as part of this agreement, although elective participation is fine.

Both parties agree to honor all written agreements and to attend scheduled meetings to the best of their ability.   Disagreement may occur, but both parties agree to respect the opinions and values of the other in seeking a resolution to any conflicts.

family partner:

[name of your mentor program] coordinator:

mentor team family liaison: