WELCOME

     A MESSAGE TO OUR COMMUNITY

Bristol Faith in Action is aware of recent conversations regarding experiences people have had when seeking assistance from our organization. We believe it is important to respond with openness and transparency while respecting the privacy of those we serve.

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Our commitment is simple: every neighbor who comes to Bristol Faith in Action should be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect.

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We know that asking for help can be difficult. Our goal is to provide a safe, welcoming environment while connecting individuals and families with the resources available to them.

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Some of our procedures may not be immediately apparent to someone visiting us for the first time. Our front door is locked for safety, privacy, and capacity reasons. We intentionally limit the number of families in our lobby at one time, and visitors are briefly screened upon arrival so we can understand the purpose of their visit and determine how best to assist them.

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Our professional security camera is monitored only by designated staff and is part of our overall safety procedures. Confidential matters are not discussed through the camera, at the front window, or in the lobby. When confidential information is needed, it is handled through our formal intake process by phone or through secure communication with designated staff.

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Because our resources are limited and the number of neighbors seeking assistance is significant, we also have established guidelines for accessing services. These guidelines are intended to provide fair and consistent opportunities for assistance. Financial assistance requires a documented financial crisis and completion of the required intake and documentation. Food assistance is available every 30 days, while personal care and cleaning supplies are available every 60 days.

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These guidelines are not intended to make it more difficult for someone to receive help. They allow us to serve our community as fairly and responsibly as possible.

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We also recognize an important truth: intent and experience are not always the same thing.

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A process designed to provide safety or consistency may feel different from the perspective of someone encountering it. We are willing to listen when someone feels that their experience did not reflect the compassion and respect we strive to provide.

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We cannot discuss individual circumstances or confidential matters publicly, and we will not engage in online discussions about specific people or situations. However, we welcome direct feedback from anyone who believes their experience with Bristol Faith in Action could have been better.

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Listening is part of serving.

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          Safety matters. Privacy matters. Fairness matters. And most                                                        importantly, people matter.

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Bristol Faith in Action is grateful for the opportunity to serve our neighbors. We remain committed to serving our community with compassion, integrity, dignity, and care.

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DeVonne Phipps, MBA

Executive Director