How You Can Become a Volunteer

Parent, Teen and Children's Facilitators

Family Forward mutual-help groups and The Middle Way Family Education Programs^© rely on the support of trained facilitators. Some experience and/or previous training in working with group dynamics is helpful, as is having knowledge of community resources. Facilitators are provided with 21 hours of training from certified Family Forward trainers. In order to support group members in feeling safe and to maintain continuity of programming, facilitators are asked to make a one-year commitment to Family Forward. Because mutual-help support groups and The Middle Way are such vital aspects of how we strengthen families, serving as a facilitator is one of the most important ways you can give your time!

Parent and Teen Leaders/Peer Leaders

In all group meetings one member will take a leadership role for a pre-established period of time. Group leaders work closely with the facilitator to assure that the Family Forward agenda is followed and that all participants have an opportunity to share in a safe environment. Leadership, ideally, will rotate among the group members.

M.A.T.C.H. / P.A.T.C.H.

Facilitate support groups of incarcerated women and men at the Bexar County Jail as part of the Mother/Papa and their Children Programs.

Children's Program Sponsors

Provide educational, social, and emotional support for children of all ages while their parents attend support group meetings. Some knowledge of child development is helpful.

 Speaker Services

Provide information on child abuse and the Family forward program to civic groups, schools, businesses, the media, and other social service agencies. 

Special Activities

Assist at information booths set up at various times during the year where Family forward brochures and materials are distributed to the public.

Office/Administrative Support

Volunteers are always needed to help with clerical and telephone responsibilities. Filing, preparing training and promotional materials, setting up for a group training and rearranging the room afterwards, entering data, assisting with computer tasks, editing promotional and training materials, calling volunteers-these are all tasks that volunteers often assist with. This may be a great opportunity if your time is limited, but you want to support our mission in a meaningful way.

Unique Gifts