Family Partnership
701 Westminster Road
Traverse City, Michigan 49686
(231) 946-0464 (phone)
(231) 946-7122 (fax)
...a faith-based organization that mentors low-resource individuals
and families in and near Traverse City, Michigan

 

Family Applications

Applications are accepted from adults

  • whose annual household income doesn't exceed 200% of the federal poverty threshhold,
  • that are willing to sign and abide by a partnership agreement and
  • reside in or near Grand Traverse County.

A Family Application form can be retrieved by clicking the button below
and then printing the document, or, by contacting our office at 946-0464.

forms button
(click above for a Family Application form)

An interview is conducted by two persons representing Family Partnership within two to three weeks of receiving the application. Action is taken at the next meeting of the Family Selection and Partnership Committee.

  
 
The following is a recent interview between Family Partnership and a "mentee" -- Frank H. was one of the first to come forward to be matched with a mentor. He has now been with his mentor - Jim R. for more than three years. Jim's wife also provides some support for Frank's wife. We recently caught up with Frank - he's currently driving a truck so is away from home quite a bit right now - to ask him for his reflections on his involvement in the program.

FP: What were your thoughts and feelings when you were first invited to try Family Partnership's mentoring program and be matched with a mentor? Were you nervous?

Frank: I thought I'd give it a try. I wasn't really nervous - more anxious to see what would come of it. I wondered how it would help, having a mentor.

FP: What were the reasons you wanted to try a mentor?

Frank: To see how it might guide my family a little more.

FP: How do you and Jim connect?

Frank: With regular phone calls and some face-to-face contact when we are able.

FP (note): Frank identified several goals on his initial application, including the desire to formalize the blending of his family - he and his wife have three daughters between them from previous relationships. They wanted to adopt so they would all be one legal family, but listed financial barriers as keeping them from doing this. They had also just completed a first-time homeowners program for low-income families and just as they were moving into their house, Frank faced a traditional seasonal lay-off from his then job (cement laying.) Typically, he had not found steady re-employment during this time. With some connections and encouragement from his mentor, he found work this time in very short order - in the automotive field - and further, decided to enroll in school to gain his Masters Mechanics certification to increase his earning potential.

FP: How has having Jim's support in your life helped?

Frank: It has helped me to be able to have someone with his background to be able to bounce ideas off of, learn business steps you can take, research different avenues, to go or find information and resources. With school, he was the one to encourage me to check into it.

FP: Has he helped you get to your goals? Do you think your life is better due to Jim being a support?

Frank: Yes.

FP: What goals have you accomplished?

Frank: Adopted daughters officially (Jim and his wife joined Frank and his family for the adoption ceremony); finished school - will get my Masters Mechanics Certification.

FP: Anything else you'd like to share with someone thinking about considering a Family Partnership mentor?

Frank: Just the openness and willingness to help and the support. And [he is] really non-judgmental. That they are not pushy; they like to help, however they can. He might listen to something and say that might not be the best way, but non-judgmental. Give me other ideas to think about.

FP (note): Due to the economic slow-down, Frank's job with an auto repair shop was cut back in hours - so, Frank immediately took what he has learned from Jim about networking and contacted a friend with a truck driving business and is employed doing that right now. He is also in the process of starting up his own business - landscaping in the summer and plowing in the winter, again, using skills he has gained from his mentor. He has already made some smart business decisions with regard to partnerships and contracting out some of his work so that business can grow while he is doing what he needs to do, to meet bills. Frank, also, with encouragement, support, and resource connections from Jim, had a long-time dental isue addressed and it has given him increased confidence in his appearance that he needs as a business owner and job seeker.