FAQs
What defines a “Family ”?
Why not individuals?
What is a “financial hardship”?
How do I apply for help?
How do we train our “Vision Coaches”
What is the role of a “Family Advocate”
Who do we desire to partner with?
What are our other endeavors?
If you don’t find the answer you are looking for here, contact us directly by phone or e-mail, and we'll be happy to answer any additional questions you have.
What is our definition of a “Family”?
Glass House Ministry accepts “family” cases as defined by the following:
- A family that consists of any married couple, single or grandparent with dependent children under 18 years of age living in the household.
- A functioning family that has experienced a financial crisis and is willing to take responsibility for changing their current financial position.
- A family that maintains a healthy living situation where no substance abuse or major mental disorders impede their ability to achieve change.
Why not individuals?
A key focus of this organization is the devastating effect an economic trauma has on the children of affected families. A key to the restoration of the family is the health, safety and future of the children involved. For that reason, we only offer our one-on-one financial counseling RESTORE program to families.
What is a “financial hardship”?
A financial hardship would be considered the loss of a job, poor financial planning or financial over extension of the family. There are many fantastic organizations that are better equipped to handle the social crisis suffered by families through addictions and other personal afflictions. Our target market is those who have been active contributing members of the workforce, who have no history of “social afflictions,” and who have had their source of income withdrawn.
How do I apply for help?
Glass House Ministry accepts “family” cases for one-on-one financial counseling. Download the application, have the family in need complete, then taken to their local congregational Care Pastor for processing with our ministry. Note to Church leaders: You are welcome to print out and keep our applications on-hand in your care offices.
How do we train our “Vision Coaches”?
Our goal is to build dedicated lay leaders within your church by providing training and oversight support to committed volunteers. When these volunteers help families with financial issues, it provides critical, sustained life support for the Church body.
A qualified Vision Coach should:
- Be a dedicated volunteer who has a financially-based business background and is tactically minded
- Have a heart for the well-being of families who are facing financial hardship
- Be a mature Christian, exemplified by a life of obedience and example in the area of finances and spiritual growth
- Have no carry-over credit card debt
- Have the ability to inquire, discover and discern the family situation in order to design a tactical financial plan
- Be able to speak to the leadership values and priorities of the family, while providing direction that inspires financial stability
- Wholeheartedly support and model the mission, vision and values of the church congregation
Our Vision Coach training and support includes:
- Training on how to inquire and discern the physical, emotional and spiritual needs behind a family’s financial situation
- Practical tools (questionnaires, worksheets, budget programs, resources, etc.) to guide in developing a restoration plan
- Weekly communication and case-management guidance on tactical design, troubleshooting, communication techniques and spiritual support throughout the process
- A complete reporting system for the congregational Pastor
What is the Role of a Family Advocate?
The Role of a Family Advocate is to:
- Serve as a liaison with Glass House Ministry and the Case Family, reporting to either a Care Pastor, Benevolence Pastor, Advocate or Lay Leader.
- Meet with the Glass House Vision Coach and Case Family for a set period of time.
- Walk with the head of the household (of the same gender or couple) through the RESTORE process. The Family Advocate provides accountability support, encouragement and prayer as the Case Family follows the plan designed to help them achieve financial stability. The goal for the family leadership to grow both personally and spiritually.
- Touch base to pray, review progress and brainstorm next steps. This should be done both in person and via email.
- Provide updates to both the congregational care leader and the Glass House Vision coach weekly (or as otherwise agreed upon).
- Guide the family into support programs/ministries as next steps.
A qualified Family Advocate should:
- Ideally be an attendee of the Church (a family member, friend, lay counselor, or someone who has a servants heart and is committed to the spiritual growth of others).
- Demonstrates a growing walk with Jesus Christ, exemplified by a life of obedience and example.
- Have the ability to encourage, hold accountable and pray for others with discernment.
- Establish and maintain healthy boundaries and have a spiritual support system of their own.
- Whole-heartedly support and model the mission, vision and values of the Church congregation.
Who do we desire to partner with?
Our vision at Glass House is to build relationships that are win-win for the entire community. As we begin to serve local Churches, we also desire to create unity within the local community. The partnerships we work with will be a vast array of immediate needs agencies, to financial advisors, local employers, PR agencies, legal services, etc. If you are interested in working with our ministry, please contact us.
What are our other endeavors?
- Identify and effectively counsel families in this target market or transfer care for others who do not meet our criteria with needs to the appropriate sources.
- Create training programs to help with budgeting skills and vocational training.
- Create a research database showing what types of jobs are available and where.
- Partner with established firms to provide appropriately trained personnel.
- Establish childcare facilitated for ancillary care while primary income earners are in retaining programs.
- Arrange to have healthcare provided for in-program families.
- Arrange educational opportunities for children of in-program families.
- Arrange relocation for families as needed.
- Provide financial services, such as low interest rate loans to in-program families and affiliated companies who assist with the program.
- Provide real estate services, such as low interest rate loans to in-program families and affiliated companies who assist with the program.