About VF Buddies
Vaughn Forest Church believes people with special needs/disabilities are an important part of the body of Christ, therefore it is essential that they are included and have ownership in every aspect of the church.
VF Buddies is designed to provide inclusive support to help your family member (birth through adulthood) with special needs/disabilities transition smoothly into one of our worship environments with other peers. Our goal is to help them participate at their comfort level, make friends, and learn about the love of Jesus with the support of a VF Buddies volunteer trained in all of our policies and procedures.
We also provide an engaging and fun sensory room where VF Buddies volunteers can take your family member if they need a calming break, or would feel more comfortable in a quieter environment.The members and staff of Vaughn Forest Church carefully create an environment and program that welcome a wide range of people, including children and adults with special needs. VF Buddies is designed to offer inclusive support to help your preschooler, child, teenager, or adult with special needs smoothly transition into one of our worship settings alongside their peers. Our aim is to help them participate comfortably, build friendships, and learn about the love of Jesus–all with the help of a well-trained VF Buddy Volunteer. VF Buddies also features an engaging, fun sensory room where VF Buddy Volunteers can take your family member for a calming break or a quieter space.
Plan Your Visit
VF Buddies is offered during our Sunday morning service at 10:30 am. In order to be prepared for your visit, please fill out the VF Buddies Family Form, and let us know you are joining us! We can’t wait to see you!
FAQ
Where is VF Buddies?
When entering the building, a greeter will direct you to the New Family Check-In. After checking in at New Family Check-In, a volunteer will guide your family to the VF Buddies sensory room where you will meet the VF Buddies Director and the VF Buddies volunteer who will be paired with your family member for the morning.
What is my responsibility as a parent/guardian of an individual participating in VF Buddies?
VF Buddies is by reservation only. Once you have attended for the first time, you will receive an email each week to respond whether your child will be attending VF Buddies on the following Sunday.
How will I be contacted about behavioral issues?
The VF Buddies Director will contact you to discuss plans going forward to address the behavior and how to recognize the signs of when that behavior will manifest.
What will happen if my child gets sick or injured?
If your child has an injury that will require more attention than a Band-Aid and/or some TLC, the VF Buddies Director will contact you immediately. VF Buddies volunteers will never administer medication to your child.
What is the bathroom/diaper changing policy?
VF Buddies volunteers will never change a diaper or pull-up for any age. If your child soils themselves, the VF Buddies Director will contact you to help your child. Volunteers will never enter a bathroom stall with your child; if they need assistance with clothing, the volunteer will help in an open area/with the door open. They will give reminders as needed but will not physically assist with toileting.