Family Guidance, Inc.

Family Guidance wholeheartedly strives to bring hope and a future through Jesus Christ to vulnerable children and families of all cultures throughout the Pittsburgh region. We provide trans-formative ministry for children and families through quality mentoring, and camping experiences, and relational education.

Our one2one mentoring program, the nation's first Christian youth mentoring program, began in 1964 when Judge Maurice Cohill and Jim Leckie worked together to mentor children sent to the courts. Today,one2one is a vital force that is reclaiming young lives in Western Pennsylvania. Our mentoring programs are designed to help children develop socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually through meaningful and trusting relationships with God and their mentor. We offer both community-based and site-based mentoring models. The Site-Based model allows for the mentor to visit their mentee at sites such as schools or community centers. Matches meet in a more structured environment usually for about an hour per week. The Community-Based Mentoring model allows the mentor to spend time doing a variety of fun activities with their mentee once a week for at least one year. Visiting museums, taking in a Pittsburgh ballgame, catching a movie, exploring a local park, or just hanging out, are just some of the ways to build a lasting mentor relationship. The average length of our mentoring relationships is over 30 months - three times longer than the national average! On average, mentors spend over 200 hours a year developing friendships with kids hungry for caring relationships & attention.

Promise Camp, set on over 112 acres in Beaver County, is a highly relational Christ-centered residential summer camp. Campers range between 7 and 17 years of age and are frequently from unchurched, single-parent families, and from various cultural backgrounds. The camp program is divided into 6 one-week sessions and a leadership development camp which runs concurrently for 2 two-week sessions. We offer swimming, arts and crafts, rock climbing, a ropes course, sports and games, and cabin Bible study time. Often for the first time, kids learn that they can choose a life full of hope and promise. The Outpost Teen Program provides leadership training, adventure-based activities, and counselor training for future staff.

Testimonials

one2one Mentoring
Suzanne had a vision for fifteen years that one day she would be a mentor and would be matched with a young person who needed a godly example in her life. She and nine-year-old Sherita hit it off immediately finding many interests they had in common---art, dance, hiking, flying kites, reading, baking cookies, and especially music. Sherita confided to Suzanne numerous times that she wanted to be a singer when she grew up. Suzanne suggested that she apply to the Pittsburgh Public Schools' creative and performing arts magnet school, CAPA. Her mentor helped her with the application process, worked with her on the song she had been assigned for auditions, took her to CAPA on audition day, and waited with her in the weeks that followed for some news. About a month after the audition, Suzanne's voice mail contained the long-awaited message. Sherita had been accepted into the school! What rejoicing they shared together that this bright little girl's dreams were beginning to come true. Mentoring a child is not always easy, but it is simple. Listen for the dreams. Pray for opportunities. Share the joy.

Promise Camp
Diane was a camper who was back for her second year at Promise Camp. On the surface she was a very happy and bubbly girl who loved life and had not a care in the world. She was always singing, dancing, and running around with the joy of life. On the last evening of that week of camp at the girls' campfire the campers were encouraged to share the story of their growing walk with God. After a while Diane started sharing about the loss of her Dad and an abusive boyfriend living with her and her Mom and siblings. She sought wisdom and direction for what to do and prayers for protection and the love of Jesus to overshadow the violence in her home. The camp staff learned from her that the smiles and laughter of the campers sometimes betray the hurt and hopelessness that can be on the inside. Promise Camp experiences provide hurting children with hope. We are praising God that she is continuing in the care of our faithful ministry friends in her neighborhood. We are so thankful that Diane knows the hope of the Lord and is finding refuge in His love.