HELPING HANDS

Every once in awhile, life hands us situations where we need a little help. Cape Christian givers designate some of their gifts over and above their tithes to a "Helping Hands" account that the Pastoral Care Department administers in order to help meet the special needs of our congregation. Cape Christian offers both counseling and crisis assistance in this area. If you're in need of a helping hand, please read the information and guidelines below and fill out the appropriate online form. If you have any questions, please contact the church office at (239) 772-5683.

Helping Hands Counseling Application

Helping Hands Financial Assistance Application

Helping Hands Counseling Fund

Purpose 

A. The Helping Hands Counseling Fund gives counseling assistance during times of crisis to members or attendees of Cape Christian whenever possible.

B. The Helping Hands Fund relies totally upon the generosity of Cape Christian members and attendees and, therefore, any grants given will be based on the availability of funds at the time the request is made and upon meeting the guidelines below.

C. The Helping Hands Fund does not give loans. Any monies given are considered a grant.

D. If a recipient is financially able to contribute back to the Helping Hands Fund at a later date, it should only be above-tithe-giving, not a shifting of tithe monies from the General Fund to the Helping Hands Fund.

Process

The Process (for all applicants)

A. Those seeking assistance will submit a written application.

B. Approval will come from a staff member appointed by the Senior Pastor and the Treasurer.

C. A check will be issued to the approved professional counselor (no checks will be made out to individuals seeking aid and assistance). Arrangements for receiving payments have already been set up with approved professional counselors.

D. All assistance will be recorded and kept private between approved staff members and the recommended professional counselor and his or her office.

The Guidelines (for all 1st time applicants)

A. The Helping Hands fund will cover $250 or 6 counseling visits (whatever comes first) for a 12 month period.

B. In addition to counseling funds, general assistance from the Helping Hands fund will not exceed $1,500 per person/family for any 12 month period. This is a cumulative cap for the 12 month period. In the event of exceptional circumstances requiring funds greater than $1,500 in any 12 month period, the approval of a Cape Christian financial counselor and church Treasurer (or someone they appoint) must precede the approval of the request.

C. What can additionally be paid for with Helping Hands: housing, medical treatment, transportation to or from a place of employment, and funeral expenses.

D. What cannot be paid for with Helping Hands: school expenses, business ventures or investments, anything that brings financial profit to the individual or family, paying off credit cards (exceptions can be made when an individual has had to use a credit card in a crisis or emergency, e.g., hospitalization, death, etc.), needs of individuals who are wanted by the law or for paying fines as a result of breaking the law, housing for unmarried couples, legal fees, penalties relating to late payments or irresponsible actions, or private school fees or tuition.

E. Funds will not be dispersed for food since there are other ministries (Cape Coral Caring Center, 945-1927) we are associated with which provide food.

F. All recipients must attend the Cape Christian membership class and a financial stewardship class after they receive their requested funds.

The Guidelines (for all applicants who have previously received funds from the Helping Hands Fund)

All guidelines for first-time applicants apply to all returning applicants.

All recipients must have completed a financial workshop or class or have received individual financial counseling. At Cape Christian we hold such classes a few times per year. Locally Christian Financial Counseling (337-2122) offers both seminars and individual financial counseling. Before more funds are issued the recipient must sit down with a Cape Christian financial counselor who will review the existing individual financial plan and verify adherence to it. The financial counselor must recommend any further Helping Hands disbursements.

All recipients must have gone through the Cape Christian membership class. All recipients must have been tithing since their last request.