Introduction
The Collaborating Families Service is an initiative that has been in operation for almost four decades. This service, which belongs to Barcelona City Council and is managed by the Surt Foundation, aims to provide help to families who, due to different temporary circumstances, need support to look after their children.
In this article, we talk to Mayca Velasco, coordinator of the service, to learn more about how this support network works and how it benefits the families that are part of it.
How does the Collaborating Families Service work?
This service has a close relationship with the pace and life of cities. In big cities, we often find ourselves alone and lack the family and community support that is usually more present in smaller towns. The Collaborating Families Service seeks to connect supportive families with those who need support and who do not have their own support network.
The goal is to create an artificial network that becomes as natural as possible, providing a caring and loving family environment for children who need support.
What is the profile of the families that participate in this service?
The Collaborating Families Service serves a wide variety of families. 66% of the demands come from female single-parent families, male single-parent families, separated parents and parents in a situation of difficulty and vulnerability. These families are usually referred by other agents who detect their need for help.
The service is looking for collaborating families with different profiles, such as couples with and without children, elderly people, young people, single people and single people with children. Each family interested in participating in the service goes through an information session and a validation study to ensure that they fit the requirements and the spirit of the project.
The child at the center of the service
Although the Collaborating Families Service solves adult problems, the child is the main focus. The aim is to provide a loving and quality family environment for children who need support. Collaborating families offer their day-to-day life and the children join an existing family dynamic, enriching their experiences and expanding their world.
The value of relationships
The Collaborating Families Service is a preventive service that seeks to create positive bonds between families. Although relationships can be temporary, they often last over time and leave a mark on children’s lives. These relationships can be meaningful and continue to be important to all involved.
Goodbye is not a final goodbye, but a see you soon. Relationships can continue and be maintained, even if life circumstances lead to different paths. The Collaborating Families Service seeks to create beautiful and lasting bonds that enrich the lives of the children and families who participate in the service.