Did you know that Prison Fellowship®'s Angel Tree® program doesn't end with Christmas?
Angel Tree is a year-round program offering churches many opportunities to help Angel Tree kids and their families. Through Angel Tree, children strengthen their relationships with imprisoned parents while they grow in their faith and fulfill the purposes that God has for their lives.
Here are five ways you can make an impact through Angel Tree:
1. FAMILY FUN DAY
Introduce Angel Tree families to your church with a day of food, fun, and face painting! Host a “Family Fun Day” for a chance to meet new people and develop deeper relationships.
2. CAREGIVER'S NIGHT OUT
Caregivers rarely have a chance to enjoy the company of other adults with a break from the children. Organize an on-site daycare for the children and invite moms to a spa night. Take dads out to the movies.
3. BACK-TO-SCHOOL EVENT
Help Angel Tree families out by purchasing various school supplies. Providing extra support during specific times in the year can relieve caregivers from added financial pressures and ensures children have the supplies they need.
Be sure to gather information on the genders, grades, and number of children so that you can adequately provide for the children.
4. ANGEL TREE MENTORING
An effective strategy for building character and curbing the potential destructive behavior in at-risk children is to have them mentored by a caring adult. When Christian mentors reach out to Angel Tree kids, they can be an example of the love of Jesus Christ. Mentors can encourage young people to have healthy relationships with their parents and peers. And they can be a great influence in motivating young students to focus on their education and consider new career paths.
Angel Tree mentoring is a way to provide Angel Tree kids and their families with a friend, coach, and role model.
5. ANGEL TREE CAMPING®
In the summer, Angel Tree offers thousands of children the opportunity to attend Christian summer camp. Angel Tree Camping is a chance for Angel Tree churches and friends to remember the children of prisoners all year long.
Fellowship with their peers, strong relationships with caring camp counselors, and the experience of God's love in the great outdoors—these are just some of the life-changing experiences children can have at Angel Tree Camping.
NEXT STEPS
Of course, these are just a few ideas of how churches and Angel Tree sponsors can be a blessing to prisoners and their families. Be sure to invite Angel Tree kids and their caregivers to your church's existing ministries, too, like youth groups, Vacation Bible School, and other special events and activities.
To find out how your church can be a part of Angel Tree all year long, visit our Angel Tree page and our Angel Tree Resources. To donate to the Angel Tree Camping program, click here.
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE
AT-RISK ANGEL TREE KIDS PRAY FOR EACH OTHER
At nine years old, Desmond is already well aware of the troubles of the world: “I pray for Jesus to help me and my mom out with our house and food and bills.”
WHEN MOMS GO TO CAMP: HOW ANGEL TREE REMEMBERS CAREGIVERS
“I can't believe you want to know my story. No one has ever asked me my story. No one has ever cared before.”