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how to use this site
“Here are instructions on how to use the FCFC Faith-Based Information & Referral Directory . Start by choosing below which user category pertains to your situation and need. There are three options: are you " Looking for Help ", do you " Provide the Help ", or you would like to " Refer others to Help "? Also, located below is our " Frequently-Asked Questions " section.
- Introduction : The FCFC Information and Referral Directory is designed to assist you in identifying and connecting to faith-based social services and other helpful resources that exist in Miami – Dade County . These services are provided by local churches and ministries and other faith groups. Whether you seek assistance for yourself or family or desire information for referral to others in need, we hope this directory proves useful.
- Getting familiar with the Categories: We've organized information for easy browsing and have listed below sixteen (16) main categories:
- Abuse Victim
- Addictions / Substance Abuse
- Basic Needs
- Children & Families
- Corrections
- Counseling / Mental Health
- Disabilities
- Education
- Elderly Issues
- Health
- Homeless Issues
- Housing
- Immigration / Refugee Services
- Legal
- Mentoring
- Youth Related / Youth Ministry
*NOTE: there are sub-categories listed within each main category. When you Click on the link to the category, you will be directed to its page where you will discover sub-categories.
- Using the Advanced Search: If you’re looking for an organization to meet a specific need or you have partial information about a certain organization, instead of browsing through the entire directory, do a quick search by using the search box above the page or click on the "Advanced Search" feature ( top, right-hand side of home page) for a more concise search.
- Suggestion to improve the web site: Help us improve this site by making a suggestion. Go to our Contact Us page and choose the "Make a suggestion" drop-down selection and give us your ideas for improving the Directory.
- How to refer this site or a listing? One of this Directory's unique features is the ability to refer others to it. If you know someone who can benefit from this web site, why not send them a link to it or a particular organization's listing? Here's how:
- Find the organization listing.
- Click on the "Refer" link.
- Fill in the appropriate details and don't forget to include your own message.
- Click on the "Submit" button to complete.
- Contact Us: Need to contact us? Go to our Contact Us page and tell us the reason for your inquiry. We would love to hear from you.
2. PROVIDE THE HELP - Are you a faith-based organization that provides services in your community? If so, we invite you to keep reading to discover what this web site can do for your organization.
- Get listed and get known: This Directory can assist you in reaching our communities with information on the services you provide. Those needing help, as well as other service providers who might like to refer others to you will be able to find you more easily.
- Find out which category you want to be listed on.
- Go to our online signup and complete the form, by clicking here.
- Getting familiar with the Categories: We have organized and consolidated our categories for easier browsing. Choose the appropriate category you fit in and sub-category so that our visitors can easily find your organization. Listed below are 16 main categories:
- Abuse Victim
- Addictions / Substance Abuse
- Basic Needs
- Children & Families
- Corrections
- Counseling / Mental Health
- Disabilities
- Education
- Elderly Issues
- Health
- Homeless Issues
- Housing
- Immigration / Refugee Services
- Legal
- Mentoring
- Youth Related / Youth Ministry
*NOTE: there are sub-categories listed within each main category. When you Click on the link to the category, you will be directed to its page where you will discover sub-categories.
- How to refer this site or a listing? One of this Directory's unique features is the ability to refer others to it. If you know someone who can benefit from this web site, why not send them a link to it or a particular organization's listing? Here's how:
- Find the organization listing.
- Click on the "Refer" link.
- Fill in the appropriate details and don't forget to include your own message.
- Click on the "Submit" button to complete.
- Contact Us: Need to contact us? Go to our Contact Us page and tell us the reason for your inquiry. We would love to hear from you.
3. REFERRING OTHERS TO AVAILABLE HELP - There are times when “people helpers” must refer those they are serving to someone else who can provide what is needed. If your client desires a faith-based approach to his/her situation, this Directory can help. We invite you to spend some time discovering who the different faith-based providers are under each of the categories.
- Becoming familiar with the categories: We've organized information for easy browsing and have listed below sixteen (16) main categories:
- Abuse Victim
- Addictions / Substance Abuse
- Basic Needs
- Children & Families
- Corrections
- Counseling / Mental Health
- Disabilities
- Education
- Elderly Issues
- Health
- Homeless Issues
- Housing
- Immigration / Refugee Services
- Legal
- Mentoring
- Youth Related / Youth Ministry
*NOTE: there are sub-categories listed within each main category. When you Click on the link to the category, you will be directed to its page where you will discover sub-categories.
- Using the Advanced Search: If you do not know of a group that might offer help for your specific situation (or if you know partial information about an organization that you think might be able to help you) do a quick search by using the search box above the page or go to the Advanced Search Page for a more precise search. This might prove more helpful that simply browsing through the entire directory.
- How to refer this site or a listing to others One of this Directory's unique features is the ability to refer others to it. If you know someone who can benefit from this web site, why not send them a link to it or a particular organization's listing? Here's how:
- Find the organization listing.
- Click on the "Refer" link.
- Fill in the appropriate details and don't forget to include your own message.
- Click on the "Submit" button to complete.
- Contact Us: Need to contact us? Go to our Contact Us page and tell us the reason for your inquiry. We would love to hear from you.
Why does Miami need a faith-based Information and Referral Directory? For over six years, FCFC has worked with numerous local faith and community-based groups, agencies and academic institutions in an effort to link these entities together in a common effort to serve those in need. Yet one vital aspect of the social service delivery system has been largely missing from the different directories/ sources of available services: namely, the programs and services of the faith community.
According to two nationwide studies, 80-90% of U.S. congregations have some type of community-serving program that goes beyond mere religious activities, ranging from daycare to tutoring, food pantries and counseling .1 With an estimated 2,500 houses of worship in Miami-Dade County , many of our faith-based institutions assist with social service delivery. However, these services are disconnected from the broader social service system and the congregations themselves represent many thousands of individuals who may not be linked up needed resources.
Another study reported that within the minority communities, individuals are seven times more likely to turn to a clergy member in a time of crisis than either a government-sponsored or community-based program. 2 But a thorough review of the Switchboard of Miami HelpPages finds few faith-based programs/services listed in their referral system. FCFC also knows anecdotally that a very large number of faith leaders (and those they serve) are completely unaware of the rich source of information and help provided by Switchboard.
What results is a significant problem : Intended and available assistance from the many local agencies does not reach those in need and our families, youth and children suffer needlessly . Pastors do not know how to help their congregants, faith-based providers are not networked to assist a larger constituency of people and the other agencies are not able to access faith groups as they might in order to provide help or to refer clients to them.
The FCFC faith –based Information and Referral Directory represents a collaborative effort between the Family & Children Faith Coalition and the Switchboard of Miami to provide previously unavailable information on faith–based social services in Miami Dade. This Directory is linked to Switchboard of Miami Help Pages thereby providing information on the total range of social services available in Miami Dade to better assist those in need.
- What can I do here? You can do numerous things here, but usually you would fall into either of the 3 user profiles: "Looking for Help", "Provide the Help", "Refer the Help", click on each one to find out where you fall into.
- Who is FCFC? The Family & Children Faith Coalition
- Who is Switchboard, and what can they do for me? Switchboard of Miami
- What is a faith-based organization? A general definition is an organization, group, program or project that provides human services and has a faith element integrated into their organization.
- What is a listing? A listing is a term used to describe an organization's information listed within this online directory. Such as the organization's profile information, which includes, name, description of organization, services offered, etc.
- How to use the Spanish Version? Just click on the "En Español" image located on the top right of the web site. This will open a new window with a rough translation of the entire site in Spanish. The technology is provided by Systran, an Altavista.com sponsored program.
- How to contact us? Click on the link to go to our Contact Us page.
- How do I link the Directory to my web site? Link the FCFC Faith-based Information & Referral Directory to your own web site by using the following URL:
http://fcfcfl.org/Faith-Based_IRD/
- How can I promote the use and continued development of this Directory?
- Contact everyone you know who might benefit from this service by simply using our referral feature on the online directory. Find an organization you would like to refer and click on the "Refer" link.
- If you are an existing faith-based organization providing services to those in need and would like to be listed in this Directory, complete this online form.
- Help support our efforts by making a secure online donation. Simply click on the icon below. Thanks for your support.
