The Compassion Coalition Telephone Call Center

Staffed by volunteers from Compassion Coalition partner churches, the clearinghouse connects those in need with churches, ministries and agencies in the community. It is a safety net for hundreds of the most vulnerable in our city, mostly single parents, lower income working families, or the elderly.

Annually the clearinghouse receives thousands of calls and makes thousands of referrals for those needing help. Hundreds of volunteer service hours are mobilized, and thousands of dollars in financial assistance are given in Christ’s name.

The Clearinghouse is open Monday – Thursday from 9:30AM to 3:30PM. An average of 30 calls are received each day. Those in need of assistance need to leave a message. Volunteers return calls in the order received. This is a telephone call center only and can not accommodate walk-ins.

The Clearinghouse Process

Request

The Clearinghouse receives requests for help by telephone from churches, pastors, organizations, individuals and families in need (clients).

Analysis

The need is reviewed and analyzed by the Intake Volunteers or staff at the Clearinghouse. The volunteer:

• Examines the nature, extent, and legitimacy of the client’s need.
• Determines what help the client has already received from agencies or churches by looking them up on Charity Check.
• Ensures the need is manageable and specific. Verifies the client’s circumstances i.e. KUB account, employment, medial crises, etc

Referral
After the client’s needs are analyzed and verified, they are referred to the appropriate help:

• Clients requiring urgent or highly specialized help are referred to appropriate agencies. These types of referrals could include medical, psychiatric, substance abuse, legal, or other services.
• Clients requiring specific help available through an agency or church ministry are referred to that agency or church.
• All other needs are referred to volunteers from partner churches in the area where the client lives (if possible).

Service The client is helped by an agency, church ministry, and/or volunteer and the need is met. The client is asked if they have specific pray requests.

Follow-up The Clearinghouse follows-up with the client and volunteer or ministry that provided the assistance. A visit from a local pastor or church volunteer is also offered

For more information about the Clearinghouse, contact Gina Whitmore at 251-1591 ext. 2 or gina@compassioncoalition.org