About Family Friends
 Faith in Action creates caring intergenerational connections through Family Friends, a program that pairs volunteers with children who have special needs. The program enlists trustworthy volunteers to befriend children with a disability or chronic health condition and their families, promoting the physical, social and emotional well-being of everyone involved. Volunteers spend time playing, reading, and building skills with children. While the pair plays, the child’s caregiver is given time to rest or take care of things around the house and yard.

Who can participate?
Children who face extraordinary challenges in their young lives related to a chronic health condition or disability may enroll. These are children who make accommodation for a special need and who would welcome a friendly visitor living in Newberg, Dundee, St. Paul, or Sherwood, Oregon. Families and children complete a brief intake application, interview, and home visit by the program coordinator.

Volunteers are caring men and women who have a heart for children and have a little extra time to give each week. Volunteers complete an application, are interviewed, have references and criminal history checks, and receive training. Upon completion of these steps, volunteers and children are introduced. If both are in agreement, they are then matched for a 9 to 12 month period of time.