New Hope Relational Advisor
For those who are considering involvement with our New Hope Relational program as a volunteer Budget Advisor, here are answers to some of the more frequently asked questions.
- What are the required qualifications to become a Budget Advisor?
- When is the program held, and how long does it last?
What is the expected time commitment?
How long do Budget Advisors work with clients once they have been assigned?
What kind of support can I expect from Love INC?
What if the client refuses my help or suggestions?
What can Love INC provide for the client in the way of resources?
Q What if a client decides to drop out of the New Hope Relational Program?
Are there any other requirements for my involvement as a Budget Advisor?
We ask that:
• You are a professing Christian, and a member of a Christian church.
• You are prepared to provide references from your church. An application form is provided.
• You have an understanding of the dynamics of budgeting and apply Christians standards with your own finances.
• You are familiar with record keeping (how to balance a checkbook, set up a budget, reconcile a bank statement, etc.)
• You go through a two hour training course provided by Love INC.
• You understand, and agree with the “tough love” concept.
• You are willing to consider this an evangelistic opportunity, and to share your faith with your client.
• You understand, and honor, the necessary confidentiality of the client’s information.
• You are willing to be a caring friend and pray for your client on a daily basis.
The New Hope Relational Program is held year around, every Thursday night from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at a local church. Budget Advisors will meet with a client family from either 6:00-7:00 or 8:00-9:00 pm. Clients are required to attend a group instructional class from 7:00-8:00 pm. Childcare is provided.
You will meet with your client for one hour once a week at the New Hope Relational Program. Occasionally a different meeting place or time will need to be arranged through the office. A monthly Rap Session is also held where Budget Advisors receive new information, announcements, and support by staff, lead volunteers, and other counselors.
The length of involvement will be dependent upon several factors:
• Level of commitment
• Client’s desire
to learn
• Client’s level of discipline
• Depth of the client’s
financial difficulties
You will receive two hours of specific training about this budget volunteer ministry from the Love INC staff. We also have teachers/advisors who can assist you with most of your questions throughout the year. You have the opportunity to “rap” with other advisors once a month at our Budget Rap session. This time of sharing will become a valuable tool with which you can learn, as you share insight with each other and possibly help answer each other’s questions. The sessions also serve as a source of spiritual and emotional support for the advisors.
It is important to remember the client must make the choices. The client may need to be reminded that he/she will be responsible for the consequences which come as a result of those choices. You are there as an advisor—ready, willing and able to show the client all the options from which to choose and the probable outcome of each. If the client is persistent in refusing positive choices for his/ her situation, if he/she is not cooperative in meeting with you, and/or is simply not honest with you, the staff may dismiss the client from the program. At that point, the client also forfeits the resources from our Love INC ministries.
Love INC has many “time and talent” resources available through its supporting network of local churches. Following is a list of only some of the resources that may be made available to the client. Use of the resources will be determined and authorized by you, the Budget Advisor, through the Love INC office. Firewood Tutoring Clothing, coats Furniture Transportation Bedding & blankets Food/Toiletries Visitation Electrical Repair Plumbing Repair House Cleaning Gas Vouchers Resume preparation Household Supplies Auto repair Tax Assistance Prayer support Optical assistance Fresh Meat Garden Produce Home Repairs Bicycles Dental Check-ups Furniture
Everyone is free to make his/her own choices. However, it must be understood that the client is responsible for the consequences for his/her own decision. One of the consequences of dropping out of the program is that the client will no longer be able to use the Love INC resources, nor will the budget advisor be responsible for maintaining contact with the client. The client’s file will be marked “closed” and no further assistance will be made available to the client unless he/she makes contact with the Love INC office and a reevaluation is done.
A weekly progress report and the client’s Step of Action Goal Sheet must be completed and submitted to the Love INC staff no later than noon the Friday following the program. The Love INC office will provide you with the necessary forms.
“Owe no one anything except love to one another” Romans 13:8