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Confidentiality Agreement – Circle of Friends

We recognize and value the right of confidentiality of all the families we serve. Please carefully review the following guiding confidentiality principles for your role as a Circle of Friends volunteer.

What is Confidentiality?

Confidentiality is the protection of personal information. It ensures that information is only accessible to those authorized to receive it.

Confidential information includes anything shared in person, over the phone, through email, texts, social media, or in written form.

For Circle of Friends volunteers, this includes:

  • Information shared in prayer requests 
  • Updates about families or hostings 
  • Any details communicated by Safe Refuge staff or the Host Family 

Authorized persons include Safe Refuge staff and, when appropriate, individuals directly involved in the care or support of a specific hosting.

Your Role and Responsibility

As a Circle of Friends volunteer, your primary role is to provide prayer, encouragement, and practical support. You will not have direct caregiving responsibilities, but you may still receive sensitive or partial information about families.

The families we serve are going through a crisis. Their story is theirs to tell, not ours.

Your responsibility is to protect their privacy with the same care you would give your own personal information.

What if someone asks me about a child or a family being supported by Safe Refuge or a hosting related situation?

You may be asked questions by friends, church members, or others.

We recommend brief and general responses such as:

“I support a nonprofit that helps families in crisis. I’m part of a team that provides prayer and support.”

Do not share:

  • Details about the family’s situation 
  • Identifying characteristics 
  • Hosting timelines or locations 

Social Media and Communication

Circle of Friends volunteers should not share any identifying or specific information on social media, blogs, or group communications.

This includes:

  • Names or initials 
  • Photos 
  • Ages, ethnicity, or family composition 
  • Locations or timelines 

General, non-identifying posts are acceptable, such as:

“Praying for a family in need this week.”

If you have any questions about posting, contact Safe Refuge staff before sharing.

Indirect Identification Risk

Even when names are not used, combining small details (age, number of children, situation, location, timing) can unintentionally identify a family.

Because Circle of Friends volunteers are often in community spaces (churches, small groups), extra care must be taken to:

  • Avoid “filling in gaps” when discussing situations 
  • Avoid repeated sharing across multiple groups 
  • Avoid speculation or discussion about family circumstances 

Communication After Support Ends

Your role is connected to Safe Refuge’s coordinated hosting support.

If a family or situation becomes known to you outside of official communication:

  • Do not initiate contact 
  • Do not offer independent support or coordination 
  • Direct any inquiries or updates to Safe Refuge staff 

This protects:

  • The family’s safety and dignity 
  • Program integrity 
  • Volunteer boundaries

When in Doubt

If you are ever unsure about what is appropriate to share or how to handle information:

  • Pause 
  • Do not share 
  • Contact Safe Refuge staff

Confidentiality Agreement - Circle of Friends

  • By checking the box below, I agree that:

    In all circumstances, I will use any information related to the families Safe Refuge and its volunteers are supporting, only for the purpose for which it was intended and in order to fulfill my volunteer role with Safe Refuge for Children + Families. I will not redistribute or share any confidential information. I acknowledge the sensitive nature of this information and agree to keep it strictly confidential from individuals who are not authorized to receive it. I understand the importance of protecting the confidentiality of the families served and will direct all questions and concerns to Safe Refuge staff. I have received and read the Confidentiality Agreement and understand my obligations.