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The Gabriel Project

Helping Mother and Baby

How To Volunteer

How do we work?

The Gabriel Project follows a grass-roots, hands-on approach. So often we are asked to donate money or gifts to help others without any personal contact. The Gabriel Project offers the Church community the opportunity to reach out and give of themselves. Our volunteers are called "angels" and work in a team of 2 or 3 per mother. The team concept has been successful, as volunteers often have other responsibilities such as small children or jobs. Team members can encourage and support one another, discuss different problems that may arise, and bring diversity of talents together.

In addition to praying for the mother and her child, teams may provide, depending on the mother's needs and wishes, occasional meals and baby-sitting, transportation (for job interviews and doctor's appointments), clothing, assistance with the birth and baptism, invitations to family gatherings or outings, etc. In essence they become mentors and friends, offering hospitality, hope and the love of Christ. The ongoing contact helps mothers stabilize and feel secure.

How much time does it take?

The level of involvement varies with the selected role. Some subcommittees need ongoing support, while others have more punctual needs. "Angels" usually need to donate more time than support members. Most volunteers work about 2 hours per month and are expected to attend 2 meetings per year.

Is training required to volunteer?

The Gabriel Project is a Good Samaritan approach to helping a woman in a crisis pregnancy. We do not claim to be social workers, but simply a friend. A training manual and periodic workshops are offered to volunteers to help them with their work as Gabriel Project "angels." While attendance at a training workshop is recommended for new volunteers, it is understood that it is not always feasible (due to family and work obligations). The Gabriel Project coordinators are available to assist volunteers who have questions or encounter dilemnas.

How is the Gabriel Project organized?

The Gabriel Project is organized into:

a board of directors at the diocesan level,

and within each parish:

parish coordinators,
teams of "angels" that are assigned to help specific mothers,
and several subcommittees that support angels when necessary, and/or other aspects of the ministry.

Subcommittee	Roles
Spiritual Support	Provide daily prayer support for mothers and volunteers. Maintain a prayer chain for specific prayer requests. Represent the Gabriel Project at each First Friday Adoration. Provide rides to mass. Provide pastoral care and counseling.
Donations	Help with baby item drives held every Spring and Fall at St Michael's. Organize community baby item drives in schools, neighborhoods, etc. Pick up donations of baby items and maternity clothes throughout the year. Track items in our storage unit. Prepare gift baskets for new moms. Share items with less affluent Church communities.
Finance	Manage the budget.
Administration	Maintain our database. Create and maintain an email list of volunteers. Help with mailings and meeting minutes. Copy various materials. Check email.
Publicity	Create and distribute publicity materials (signs, brochures, web site, and other media) to reach mothers who need help and to recruit volunteers, Fundraising (eg, Annual Run for Life, First Friday Feast).
Transportation	Provide transportation to mothers for job interviews or medical appointments and support the donations subcommittee.
Meals	Prepare occasional meals for new mothers.
Baby-sitting	Baby-sit siblings during doctor's appointments, job interviews and during postpartum. Occasionally baby-sit the baby after s/he is born.
Sewing Baby Bonnets	Sew and knit baby items and maternity clothes.
Miscellaneous Support	Provide any other help such as interpreting for non-English speakers.

Note: Our resources and volunteers may be helpful to other ministries and organizations and vice-versa.

If you wish to volunteer for any of these subcommittees, please send your name, address and phone number to:

The Gabriel Project
c/o Birthchoice
3820 Merton Dr., #219
Raleigh, NC 27609
or send e-mail to: gabriel@ministry.stmichaelcary.org

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