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Walk beside a family through their hardest season
Becoming a Family Friend means committing to stand beside a widowed parent and their children for at least one year. You'll provide practical help, consistent encouragement, and a steady presence that reminds them they don't have to do this alone.
More than volunteering - this is relationship
What Family Friends do
- Offer emotional support through active listening
- Check in on the parent (monthly, at a minimum) for changing needs (preferably in person)
- Assist in finding, referring, and connecting parent to local services and resources
- Assist in connecting parent with a support group or other emotional support opportunities
- Pray with parent, if so desired (or, pray for parent independently)
- Serve as liaison between the parent and WPRP Staff and Board
- Advocate for the parent in the community to find assistance as needs arise
- But more importantly, you'll show up consistently - remembering birthdays and anniversaries, checking in on hard days, and becoming a trusted friend who genuinely cares.
What Family Friends Don't Do
- House cleaning
- Yard work
- Home repair
- Skilled labor (plumbing, electrical, handyman services, etc.)
- Childcare or babysitting
- Transportation
- Professional counseling, medical advice, legal advice, or financial advice
Volunteers may assist in identifying third-party providers for such services.
Benefits of becoming a Family Friend
- Comprehensive training on grief, boundaries, and how to support widowed families effectively.
- Ongoing support from WPRP staff and other Family Friends.
- The deep satisfaction of making a tangible difference in a family's life.
- Friendships that often last long beyond your formal commitment.
EXPECTATIONS of a Family Friend
- Complete application process: Application, Interview, Reference Checks, Criminal Background Check
- Maintain a positive community standing while volunteering for WPRP
- Commit to (minimum) one year dedication to parent
- Successfully complete online training with coaching (Estimated 4-5 hour training)
- Maintain regular communication and report all concerns to supervisor
- Exhibit professionalism in behavior and appearance - Follow all WPRP policies
- Always maintain the family’s privacy
- Always advocate from a selfless perspective for the parent
- Submit Volunteer Monthly Reports at the beginning of each month
- Attend monthly roundtable meetings
Who makes a great Family Friend
- People with compassionate hearts who can listen without trying to fix everything.
- Those who can commit to consistency - showing up even when it's inconvenient.
- Individuals willing to help with practical, hands-on tasks.
- People who understand that small acts of service carry enormous weight.
- Anyone called to live out James 1:27 in a tangible way.
- You don't need to have all the answers or all the skills.
- You just need to care and be willing to show up.
Characteristics
- Compassionate caregiver
- Listening
- Trustworthy listener
- Skilled responder
- Energetic advocate
Family Friend FAQ's
Most Family Friends spend 4-8 hours per month helping their matched family, though this varies based on needs and your availability. The key is consistency, not quantity.
That's okay. We match based on your strengths. Some Family Friends excel at childcare or companionship. Others coordinate help from additional volunteers. You don't have to do everything yourself.
Family Friends commit to at least one year. Many relationships continue much longer as genuine friendships develop. You're encouraged to stay connected as long as it's meaningful for both you and the family.
Yes. Because Family Friends work closely with vulnerable families and children, we conduct thorough background checks to ensure everyone's safety.
You'll receive comprehensive training covering grief and trauma, healthy boundaries, practical ways to help, how to navigate difficult conversations, and ongoing support throughout your time as a Family Friend.
We carefully match based on location, availability, skills, personality, and family needs. While you don't choose, we work hard to create matches that are a good fit for everyone.
We check in regularly to ensure matches are healthy and helpful. If something isn't working, we'll work together to address it - whether that means adjusting expectations or finding a better match.
Yes, if you've worked through your own grief journey and are in a stable place. Many of our most effective Family Friends are widowed parents themselves who understand the experience deeply.
Life happens. If circumstances change, we'll work together to transition your family to another Family Friend. We ask for commitment, but we also understand that unexpected situations arise.
While WPRP is founded on Christian values, Family Friends come from diverse faith backgrounds. We work to meet parents where they are in their spiritual journey. We ask that Family Friends pray for their parent, either on their own or with the parent, if the parent desires.
