A Day in the Life of a Family Coach
Meet Taylor, one of our Family Coaches here at New Mercies. As a trained Family Coach, Taylor comes alongside moms during hostings, helping them set and achieve stability goals, like finding housing, childcare, employment, or other resources.
Recently, Taylor saw a coaching request pop up through one of the emails our Support Line Coordinator sends as hosting needs arise: an expectant mom, Tasha*, requested a hosting for her toddler while she prepared to deliver her baby. The pregnancy was high-risk, and though the due date was still weeks away, the hosting needed to be lined up early, just in case.
Taylor responded quickly (as usual!) and offered to take it. We tagged along with Taylor for the morning as she prepped for this hosting...
Getting Started
Once Taylor said yes, she received the intake form with all the details from the Support Line team. From there, her role as a Family Coach starts. A Host Family was identified, and Taylor reached out to schedule an intake meeting to sign paperwork and start building a relationship with Tasha.
The first meeting a few days ago went smoothly, and Taylor shared that “they clicked really well.” Tasha was also open to Rooted Together, our spiritual mentorship program, which could open the door for future spiritual conversations.
At the intake meeting, Taylor gathered information and walked Tasha through everything. Taylor shared that she often talks about her kids with the moms she works with, because it can be a great icebreaker!
If everyone is comfortable, Taylor likes to set up a GroupMe or text thread for communication between the mom and the Host Family. If possible, she also sets up a time for the child or children to meet their Host Family so they know them when the hosting starts. Taylor is able to ask the Family Coach Manager and other staff members any questions she may have during this time, to make sure she feels comfortable starting the hosting.
Paperwork, Prep, and Support
At the intake meeting, Taylor completed the legal intake paperwork needed with the parent. Now, a few days later, she downloads everything to the New Mercies OneDrive, uploads it into our case management system so we can start tracking the hosting, and notifies the Family Coach Manager.
Support Volunteers typically help with gathering supplies from the NMM Resource Closet, like diapers, car seats, and a backpack with PJs, socks, and other supplies for any children being hosted, especially if the hosting is coming up quickly. But sometimes, Taylor will pull those items herself when things are still a bit uncertain as far as when the hosting starts.
Taylor also personalizes a “mom bag” for every mom she coaches for, which is provided by New Mercies and includes a Bible, snacks, and other needed items. Taylor marks the Bible with passages close to her heart before she gives the bag to each mom, like specific stories of Jesus’ caring interactions with women.
“This meant a lot to the very first mom I coached, so I decided to keep doing it,” she shared. Another mom reached out during a hosting and asked Taylor about a certain passage she had marked and what it meant, so she knows it can make an impact.
The Joy of Relationship
Once Tasha has her baby, and the hosting starts, Taylor will meet with her weekly to help her meet goals and access the community resources she may need. She will also meet every week with the Family Coach Manager for support, to process any concerns, and to give updates on the hosting. Taylor also stays in contact with the Host Family to assess how the hosting is going and provide any needed resources. But until the hosting starts for Tasha’s family, Taylor will continue building a relationship with this sweet mom.
Taylor brings her whole self, and story, into this ministry. “When I went through severe postpartum depression, I wondered why, but I’m starting to realize what a testimony I have. I had so many people come alongside me, and still it was hard, and they don’t have that.” Now, she gets to be the support she needed for someone else in their time of need.
And God shows up in beautiful ways. Just yesterday, Taylor got a call from Nia*, the very first mom she coached. Nia’s car had broken down and left her stranded, so Taylor helped her work through that and find a solution. Recently, Nia told her, “I don’t know what I would do without you these days. I love your support.” She even texted Taylor another day out of the blue to say, “I’m thinking about you, and I love you.” Nia was just baptized in the last few months.
Taylor’s advice if you’re thinking about becoming a Family Coach? “I would tell them it’s such an incredible opportunity to grow in faith and dependence on the Lord. These situations can look different than our own, which is why we’re there, but the people aren’t different."
“What an honor to help and to make a new friend – and grow in our dependence on Christ,” she shares. And you won’t be serving alone as a Family Coach. There will be support and resources every step of the way from the New Mercies staff. If you’re wondering where you might fit in, this could be it!
*Name changed to protect privacy.