Moving on Mentoring
HOPE International UK is a faith based charity with close ties to London Church of Christ, and we are delighted to support their One Day At A Time and Two Step programmes, battling addiction and homelessness across our capital city.
Mentoring is a huge part of the success of ODAAT and Two Step, with graduates of the scheme meeting with existing residents to share their own experiences and provide real-life evidence that the scheme works.
In fact, mentoring is a major part of HOPE International UK’s success at all levels over the past 40 years or so. After all, whoever walks with the wise, becomes wise too (Proverbs 13:20)
The Bible is packed full of wonderful mentors, demonstrating the incredible benefits of having someone to guide and support you through lifes inevitable ups and downs. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to build each other up and encourage each other, sharing our God given experiences to enable others to experience the same.
How does HOPE Worldwide UK Mentoring work?
The Two Step and ODAAT programmes are designed to help people get back on their feet, whether that be through finding them short- or long-term accommodation or helping them overcome their addiction through abstinence.
The help that HOPE provide, however, does not stop the moment that an individual is housed or finishes all three stages of the ODAAT programme. Instead, these individuals are given access to a range of aftercare options to help prevent them from falling back into old routines.
The moving on mentoring programme is a major part of doing just that. One of the major flaws in many rehab programmes for drug and alcohol addiction is that the participants don’t believe the programme can be a success and are much more likely to give up on it as a result. Having a mentor that has been in their situation and come out the other side, built a successful life for themselves and avoided relapsing can be incredibly inspiring and is one of the biggest reasons that the ODAAT scheme has a significantly higher success rate than the average for similar live-in residential rehabilitation houses.
Mentoring is equally as important in the Two Step programme, with mentors designated to those who have been found temporary or even permanent accommodation for up to six months. These mentors will ensure that their mentees have settled in properly and have reacclimatised well to normal life.
HOPE Volunteers
Over the past few decades, there have been many volunteer to mentor success stories at HOPE Worldwide. One of these includes Hazan who attended a Moving ON training day back in 2011 after securing paid employment after volunteering at the HOPE office. Speaking to HOPE Worldwide at the time, Hazan shared his thoughts on the mentoring programme:
“ I am a great believer in volunteering and I chose to volunteer at Two Step (HOPE worldwide UK) as I wanted to use my spare time for something positive. I was grateful to work with the dedicated team at HOPE worldwide UK who are tirelessly helping people in housing need by finding suitable accommodation.
Their help doesn’t end when clients are housed, but they keep in regular contact to make sure they settle in properly and get back to normal life. One of the services they provide after housing is a mentoring programme.
This involves matching the two parties (Mentor and Mentee), to share ideas for six months after the client has been offered accommodation. During my time at HOPE worldwide UK, I have learnt some of the different situations which cause people to become homeless.
These may be relationship/marriage breakdown, domestic violence, unplanned teenage or adult pregnancies, mortgage repossessions, release from prison, private tenant rent arrears, related to repossession, poverty, being single and sickness. I am aware of HOPE worldwide UK’s dedication and in its position of providing affordable homes to vulnerable people and I would be very happy to be part of the team in the future.”
Hazan is just one of numerous success stories to come from the Moving on mentoring programme at HOPE who are always on the look out for skilled individuals interested in becoming mentors in the future.”
What does the Bible say about mentoring?
“Iron sharpens Iron, and one man sharpens another” Proverbs 27:17.
As Christians, we are called upon to spread the Word of God, helping others by showing them what is possible when we live our lives in the example of Jesus Christ. Beyond simply telling others about God and the gift of eternal life he offers to those who ask for his forgiveness, we are also told to show humility towards our fellow man, remain humble, and to lift up our fellows as they do us (1 Peter 5:5-7, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
Mentors are the epitome of the command to do for others what you wish they would do for you (Luke 6:31), for if we do not support those in the time of their greatest need, there may not be anyone there to support us in ours.
Of course, not everyone is qualified or suitable to provide mentorship to those suffering from addiction or homelessness. However, even doing your part by supporting charities such as HOPE, as we do via monthly standing orders and basket collections, allows them to provide this invaluable service that ensures those in our communities who need support the most have it when they ask.
After all, as Romans 12:5 states, though we are many, we are one body in Christ and individually members of each other.