Collaborating Families Service: “We are the cool uncles”
Collaborating Families Service (SFC) is a bank of solidarity families that offer to provide temporary and punctual care (maximum 6 months) to children from families with economic or health difficulties, who do not have a social network in Barcelona city. Collaborating families lend a helping hand for a few hours to claimant families who need it, such as single parents, and contribute to the reconciliation of their time. The volunteers offer the child a personalized attention, incorporating them into their usual dynamics, with a prior consensus with the requesting family, either during the week or at the weekend.
“Collaborating families are local, from the same neighborhood as the plaintiffs, and the time they share is complementary to the child’s weekly routines”, according to Mayca Velasco, coordinator of the service managed by the Surt Foundation. Velasco clarifies that it is distinguished from fostering because there is no substitution of mother or father, and from babysitting, since it is the requesting family that is responsible for taking and picking up the child at the family’s home collaborator.
Today 85 families are part of the list of collaborators and they have diverse profiles: with or without children; seniors; etc. Maria José Torres and Davide Tarabella are a couple from Raval who collaborate with the SFC. So far, they have attended a child of almost 3 years for three months and another 4 year old for six months.
What motivated you to participate in the Collaborating Families Service?
M. J. Torres: We have been a couple for 8 years. After losing a child we wanted to help, through volunteering, children who needed it. We found out that the SFC existed on the Surt website. What motivates us is to help people have an easier day to day life, especially single women who need this support because they don’t have a network for whatever reason. As volunteers, we help two people: the mother and the child.
D. Tarabella: We are both activists. I have worked for many years in the education sector and I am already used to being with scoundrels. After the interview with the SFC, the process of welcoming the two children we have taken in so far was very natural.
How do you experience the arrival of the child at home?
D. Tarabella: The child joins our day and we agree on the activities and meals with the requesting family. If he comes on a weekend, for example, on Sunday we eat chicken and chips and go to the park. We take our leisure time in such a way that it is fun for both us and the little one.
M. J. Torres: At the beginning of each new collaboration, it can happen that the baby stays crying when the relative leaves it at home. We also understand that mothers – in our case – doubt whether they are doing well; leaving your baby in the hands of strangers is scary, it’s normal. As the child gains confidence, he returns happy and eager to spend time with us. And the mother stays calm too.
“We are not parents but we live this experience with joy and care“.
What does being a collaborating family bring you?
M. J. Torres: We learn a lot with the children: we make cooking recipes, watch episodes of Paw Patrol, etc. With the first child who came we bonded, despite sharing only a few months because the mother’s schedules changed. We would have liked to be able to stay longer, but you have to understand that circumstances can vary. And with the second, with whom we have been for half a year, we are now renewing the commitment for more months. We are both happy and grateful that we have spoken with the claimant families. It fills me with joy.
D. Tarabella: On the weekends I like to relax, honestly. But I enjoy the moment of having the child at home to the fullest, too. Like Marijo, it brings me joy, play and adventure. We are in action: we do a pizza workshop, we do activities outside… In addition, it is a responsibility. You have to have a thousand eyes on the streets, be alert in the city, so that you don’t get hurt. I realize that adults have a lot to learn from children. They have a different worldview that makes you put aside worldly concerns. We are not parents but we live this experience with joy and care.
M. J. Torres: We are the cool uncles! (laugh). After all, it’s a party for us and for him, too.
Why would you recommend entering the SFC stock market?
M. J. Torres: For me it is an enriching experience. I volunteered for seven years accompanying elderly people in an association and now spending time with children gives me life. When I’m with the child, I’m happy, even though I’m exhausted afterwards (laugh). And besides, helping other women, helping each other, is chapeau! Single people can also be encouraged, because the parks are full of mothers and fathers to make friends.
D. Tarabella: I have been helping teenagers with social integration problems in Raval for years. If you have the time and willingness to offer it to others, I would recommend it. It’s about making a click, getting out of an egoistic mode will provides you the opportunity to connect with other people.
More information: sfc@bcn.cat or 93 291 59 67
