Summary
Family Guidance, Inc. (originally founded as Youth Guidance, Inc.) is a community-based Christian organization that has been committed to helping children and families since 1964.
The ministry's programs focus on the needs of youth and families today. At risk families, a rapidly growing segment of the population, have special needs. They require special programs that build confidence, help them to develop positive relationships, and instill values that will help them make good decisions. Family Guidance strengthens families and offers hope and a future to at-risk youth through marriage enrichment, empowering churches to minister to families and children, and offering mentoring and group ministry to unchurched children and single mothers. Family Guidance is a tax exempt nonprofit, and is eligible for tax-deductible donations. Family Guidance is also a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Contact Information: [ Back to top ]
| Mailing Address: | 307 Duff Rd.
Sewickley, PA
15143-9554 |
| Website: | www.familyguidance.net |
| Phone: | (412) 741-8550 |
| Email: | You need to enable javascript to see the email |
Organization Details [ Back to top ]
EIN: 251128116
| CEO/President: |
Mr. Bob Jamison |
Tax Deductible: |
Yes |
| Chairman: |
Mr. Kenneth Fraser |
Fiscal Year End: |
December 31 |
| Board Size: |
15 |
Financial info from: |
990 |
| Founder: |
Mr. Jim Leckie |
Member of ECFA: |
Yes |
| Year Founded: |
1964 |
Member of ECFA since: |
1980 |
Family Guidance, Inc. (originally founded as Youth Guidance, Inc.) is a community-based Christian organization that has been committed to helping children and families since 1964.
The ministry's programs focus on the needs of youth and families today:
The One-to-One Program, Pittsburgh’s oldest youth mentoring program, is a vital force that is reclaiming young lives. Family Guidance mentors:
- offer mature guidance and role modeling as children make decisions that will steer the remainder of their lives.
- impart life skills and relationship-building skills that help prepare our kids to function positively as citizens in society
- provide over 200 hours per year in "individualized instruction," a highly effective form of education, to children hungry for relationships and attention.
The DADDS Program (Building Communities of Dedicated and Devoted Dads) seeks to raise up a new generation of fathers who are dedicated to God and devoted to their families, equipping them to make a positive impact at home and in their communities. Through partnering with local churches and community organizations, DADDS focuses on:
- Motivating dads to take their fathering responsibilities seriously
- Equipping dads with basic skills to be better fathers
- Helping dads address issues which hinder them from being effective fathers
- Supporting dads with resources, prayer and accountability relationships
- Challenging dads to reach out to other fathers and sons in their community
Family Guidance believes that to most effectively impact the quality and strength of family life and relationships in our communities, there needs to be a network of churches impassioned and equipped for the tast at hand. The Partnership for Families represents such a network. This ever-growing group of churches provides a vast delivery system to the larger community and is drawing on and networking the collective resources of partnering churches. Family Guidance is the catalyst and consultant for the Partnership for Families, providing vision and encouragement, developing cooperative strategies, and introducing various ministry models to establish intentional and proactive marriage and family ministry within the church.
Each Y.E.S. Program is designed to result in " Youth Experiencing Success " through their participation in an after-school program. Urban churches interested in developing their own after-school ministries can tap into the training, consultation, and ministry empowerment offered through Family Guidance to build a powerful, relational ministry to the children of their community. The churches own the program; Family Guidance is a "come-alongside' partner. Y.E.S. targets at-risk urban-area elementary and middle school students. They are enrolled through open registration including referrals from public school staff, social service organizations, and the participating church congregation.
Family Guidance believes that the ministry model for inner city youth from distressed family situations provides the right amount of structure and personalized attention that they need to realize their own potential for academic achievement and spiritual growth. This program enables us to reach significant numbers of children and help them supporting and enhancing their ability to function and achieve in the school system. Ideally, the program meets five days a week during the school year, working closely with the local schools. Trained professionals as well as trained volunteers offer tutoring in subjects such as language arts, math, history, science, reading and Bible, under the supervision of the Y.E.S. program site director in a multidisciplinary team approach which incorporates the whole-person ministry that is the trademark of all Family Guidance programs. Students learn study skills, homework completion skills and independent thinking and problem solving skills. The effectiveness of this training is assessed and evaluated throughout the school year as the students' grading period results are made known. Y.E.S. programs can be complemented by a recreational summer day camp during the summer vacation period.
In February 1983, Family Guidance partnered with four local Aliquippa churches and the Beaver County Housing Authority to begin the Club Program in Linmar Terrace as an outreach to youth. Since then, the program has evolved to include their families. In addition to our youth meetings, there are adult meetings that focus on providing parenting skills and support.
The weekly Club meetings are held at the Linmar Terrace Community Center and include informal activities such as recreation, Bible study, arts and crafts, and educational opportunities.
InnerChange is a dynamic outreach to youth and families in designated neighborhoods of Butler County. InnerChange combines the time-tested elements of Family Guidance's whole-person model (physical, social, emotional, spiritual) in partnership with area church and community leaders and a core of trained volunteers. They work with children and families in programs designed to provide mentoring, social and recreational opportunities, life and living skills, Bible study, academic enrichment, and a network of referrals and resources that they might need. Primary emphasis is given to building relationships among residents within the designated neighborhoods and between them and the people in the larger community around them.
Family Guidance’s Summer Camp Program is designed to serve at-risk youth from western Pennsylvania. The Camp program offers these children an intensive, transformational experience in a safe, natural setting. This is accomplished through meeting the needs of the whole-person in a relational caring style. Most of the children who attend the summer camp come from the Family Guidance One-to-One (mentoring) Program and Club Program.
The camp strives to keep a close counselor to camper ratio, which assures our children plenty of individualized attention. Family Guidance’s overall goal is to help meet the social, mental, physical, and spiritual needs of these children from distressed families. The overarching goal of the camp is to introduce these kids to Jesus Christ. Activities at camp stress relational skills, team-building, and self-confidence.
Family Guidance, Inc. uses the following to express its Statement of Faith:
Family Guidance, Inc. is committed to supporting children and restoring families of all cultures in western Pennsylvania by working in concert with local churches and communities to share the love of Jesus Christ through building meaningful relationships with God and others.
Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]
Need Program Accomoplishments info
Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]
Family Guidance, Inc uses the following to express its Statement of Faith:
Family Guidance, Inc. is a non-denominational organization which seeks to present the person of Jesus Christ as the answer to the problems, frustrations and confusion suffered by needy people. Family Guidance is a cooperative-evangelism program working with many different churches and people of varying beliefs. The following is Family Guidance's doctrinal statement.
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the written record of His supernatural revelation of Himself to man, absolute in its authority, complete in its revelation, final in its content and without any errors in its teaching as originally given.
All men in their natural state are lost, alienated from God, spiritually dead: "All have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
Salvation is by grace, a free gift of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins according to the Scriptures (I Corinthians 15:3). Those who thus receive Christ by faith have their sins forgiven (Ephesians 1:7), their hearts cleansed (Acts 15:9), are born of the Spirit, become children of God (John 1:12-13), and are made new creatures in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17).
God is one God, who reveals Himself in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ, as the Scriptures affirm, is the Son of God and Son of man, was born of a virgin, and is Himself very God. The Scriptures also declare the deity and personality of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christrose from the dead in the same body that was laid to rest in the tomb (John 20: 25-27); He ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will personally (Acts 1:11, I Thessalonians 4:16) bodily and visibly (Matthew 26:64, Revelation 1:7) return to earth in power and glory.
Christians, born of the Spirit, are to live the new life in the present power of the Spirit. "If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk." (Galatians 5:16-25, Colossians 2:6). The Christian's responsibility and his normal attitude of life is to yield himself to God (Romans 6:13), trusting God to keep him.
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in Jesus Christ.
Need History Info
Volunteers are the core of our programs! If you would like to share with a child the love, guidance, and sense of purpose that comes from knowing Jesus, call us at 412-741-8550, and speak with Joanne Galinowski, Director of Volunteer Resources about volunteer opportunities. You can also write Joanne at: jgalinowski@familyguidance.net
Research Analysis
Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]
| Transparency Grade of : B |
| Criteria category | Grade | Other Comments |
| Timeliness: | 70 | 10/28/2011 3:57:51 PM: Organization made financial information available greater than 7 ½ months. |
| Financial Information: | 80 | |
| Foundational Clarity: | 100 | 10/28/2011 3:58:09 PM: Descriptive information was abundant and thorough. |
| Level of Cooperation: | | |
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MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]
| Ranking Category | Rating | Overall Rank | Community Development Sector |
|---|
| Overall Efficiency Rating |  | 92 of 347 | 3 of 26 |
| Fund Acquisition Decision |  | 79 of 347 | 3 of 26 |
| Resource Allocation Decision | | 28 of 347 | 2 of 26 |
| Asset Utilization Decision | | 266 of 347 | 18 of 26 |
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2006 MinistryWatch.com Shining Light top ministry listFamily Guidance a 'Shining Light' for Modeling 'Pure and Faultless Religion'
Prior MinistryWatch.com Shining Light ‘Top 30’ Exemplary Ministry. Previously listed from 2005 - 2007.
MinistryWatch.com desires to see overall giving to Biblical Christian values increase and as such we developed this format to highlight those ministries which are exemplary. The list is a sampling of the “best ministries” and outstanding examples when we consider Philippians 4:8 and weigh and take account of those ministries that are excellent and worthy of praise.
These ministries are called ‘Shining Lights’ because they are indeed models of letting their Christian light shine before men so that the Gospel may be proclaimed and God be glorified. Consequently, we are shining a figurative light on them so that donors may be aware of their good works and other ministries may learn from their examples.
While identifying the best ministries is challenging given the selfless work that so many do for the cause of Christ, MinistryWatch.com believes that the list of 30 excellent ministries will be helpful to many. Each of the ministries has the following important features in common:
- Legitimate nonprofit ministry and purpose.
- Have shown a willingness to treat donors fairly via a Transparency Grade of “A”.
- Are unashamed of being identified as an evangelical Christian ministry.
- MinistryWatch.com researchers knows of no significant issues that would be of concern to donors.
A high MinistryWatch.com Financial Efficiency Rating was not a requirement for inclusion on this list although most do have good ratings. Many factors were reviewed and strengths in other areas can offset weakness in financial efficiency when determining whether a ministry should be of interest to donors seeking to be good stewards of their giving. Only you can decide for yourself with confidence if a ministry shares your values and with your giving plan.
This is just another step in our mission of encouraging Christians to give more of their talents and resources to Kingdom-building efforts. In short, we wish to help spread the Gospel of Christ by helping Christians give more and more effectively to the works of the Lord. If the Lord uses our list as part of that process, we will have been a blessing to both those ministries who have been ‘good and faithful servants’ with the Lord’s resources and to Christian donors who are seeking to be good stewards of their giving.
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MinistryWatch.com’s Take
Hope and a Future
Not long ago, the Pittsburgh region was rocked by the murder of one of its most highly-regarded police officers. The perpetrator was a troubled youth from Linmar Terrace, a public housing community in nearby Aliquippa, Pa. This tragic event highlighted the need for powerful intervention among the young people of Lamar – often from broken homes and living in poverty. It drove home the need to convey the message that there is an alternative to violence, apathy and ignorance.
Family Guidance, Inc. (FGI), a community-centered, evangelical Christian ministry, is unwilling to let people living in neighborhoods like Linmar simply waste away in the moral oblivion of crime and social negligence. FGI works in Linmar and throughout western Pennsylvania to reclaim lives that are on the brink of destruction, offering them, instead, hope and a future. FGI’s ministry programs operate in a variety of settings, including vulnerable communities, children’s camps, personal mentoring, and group seminars. FGI also maintains numerous partnerships with churches and other like-minded organizations. Community-wide needs are addressed by reaching out to individuals in a direct and personal manner, wherever they are, supporting them through their struggles and helping them to develop healthier lifestyles and relationships. This involves both a horizontal (relationships with people) and a vertical (relationship with God) dimension. FGI is evangelical in the sense that they are committed to “sharing the message of the saving grace of Jesus Christ with young people and families across all cultures in Western Pennsylvania. . . .”
Reclamation Projects
FGI was founded in 1964 as Youth Guidance, Inc. The purpose of the organization was to reach out to at-risk young people. Since that time, FGI has broadened its outreach efforts to include troubled families and neighborhoods by developing new programs and modifying existing ones. Several of these programs are designed to target specific communities where the challenges to families and young people are the greatest.
FGI’s
InnerChange program is “an innovative outreach to youth and families in mobile home parks and isolated neighborhoods of Butler County.” Innerchange operates in partnership with local churches, connecting Christians with disadvantaged children and families in their community. This ministry affords children with weekly recreational opportunities as well as values-based guidance, Bible studies, mentoring and academic enrichment. Parents are offered access to a network of referrals and sources which provide food, housing, clothing, medical aid, and transportation assistance. Ellen Knox, the Program Coordinator for InnerChange, describes the places where the program operates as “often labeled as areas of higher crime and drug activity – places to be avoided.” However, she goes on to say that, “By God’s grace, we are building relationships in these communities, thereby earning the right to share Christ’s love and His gift of meeting all our needs when we trust in Him.”
YES – “Youth Experiencing Success” – is a ministry program which FGI has developed in order to meet the spiritual, physical, social and emotional needs of urban-area elementary and middle school students. As with InnerChange, YES operates in partnership with local churches. Participating churches provide facilities for the program and volunteers to tutor and lead Bible studies and recreational activities. FGI offers training, guidance and consulting services to the churches. Each church is encouraged to take progressive levels of ownership over its YES program, with an aim towards independent operation. FGI has documented numerous cases in which students participating in YES programs have shown marked improvement in their grades. In one YES program one fourth of the students made their school’s honor roll little more than a year after being referred to the program for academic problems.
As a part of its effort to reach out to people in desperate places, FGI has joined forces with local congregations and other organizations in a program called
Amachi Pittsburgh. This program is designed to provide mentors for children whose parents are in prison. Amachi is a faith-based program, whose mission statement is: “People of faith mentoring children of promise.” “Amachi” is a West African word which means, “Who knows what God has brought us through this child?” Amachi works by means of marshaling the shared resources of member organizations, managing assets found within the community, and mobilizing the gifts and talents of people in local congregations. Amachi is built upon FGI’s highly successful One-to-One mentoring program (see below).
Finally, FGI is reclaiming people and rebuilding lives by means of its
Club Program. The Club program has been operating in Linmar Terrace, a public housing community in Linmar, since 1983. Weekly meetings for young people are held in the Linmar Terrace Community Center. Activities include recreation, Bible study, arts and crafts, and academic help. FGI is in the process of turning total responsibility for this program over to one of its partner ministries.
One-to-One, FGI’s flagship program is among Pittsburgh’s first youth mentoring program. A recent study indicated that One-to-One is the nation’s premier mentoring program. Children enrolled in a mentorship program have been shown to be much less likely to engage in destructive behavior (e.g., drinking, drug use, truancy) than would otherwise be the case. One-to-One works with community volunteers, in partnership with local churches, to provide young people with mature guidance, life skills, and hours upon hours of individualized instruction. FGI encourages churches to develop a vision for community outreach, encourages them to recruit volunteers, and trains and equips those volunteers for ministry. Developing a successful, church-based One-to-One program takes about three years.
FGI’s
Summer Camp program serves to enhance the organization’s mentoring ministry by giving disadvantaged children the chance to learn life skills and to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a fresh and safe environment. FGI believes that the Camp program has been successful because it gives young people the chance to leave home (a first time experience for many) and to develop new ideas and ask new questions. FGI’s camps are small but growing. Plans are in the works to build an activity center, swimming pool, basketball pavilion, camp manager’s residence, and staff house. The purpose for this massive expansion is to be able to facilitate more campers and to provide them with a better camping experience.
One of the key components of FGI’s strategy of developing new programs was to create a new initiative designed to help men be better fathers.
DADDS (Dedicated and Devoted Dads) is a faith-based initiative designed to motivate, equip, and support men in their role as fathers. It incorporates both large and small group components, balancing educational training with life-changing support. As with other FGI programs, DADDS works through partnership with local churches and community agencies in the Pittsburgh region. FGI develops DADDS resources, presents seminars on fatherhood, and provides leadership training and curriculum.
FGI has also developed a more comprehensive family-centered program,
Partnership for Families, which encourages and equips local churches to develop a meaningful strategy for family ministries. FGI promises to accommodate each congregation in proceeding at its own pace and in prioritizing its specific family ministry needs.
Network of Hope
Developing partnerships with local churches is a key component in FGI’s overall strategy. These partnerships are particularly important given the fact that FGI’s mission includes sharing the Gospel. This is not accomplished by overtly evangelistic outreaches, but by ministering to the social, physical and emotional needs of at-risk youth and families. However, by placing its social outreaches directly in the context of local churches, FGI is able to introduce people to the very place where their spiritual needs can be uniquely addressed. By the same token, FGI’s partnership programs can help introduce local churches to the most vital mission field of our time: our communities. FGI gives churches in Western Pennsylvania opportunities to become integrally involved in the strengthening of families and communities – which is a genuine expression of “pure and undefiled religion” (James 1:27).