Nurturing Accountability: Why Program Commitments Matter
At Birch Community Services, our mission is to build a healthy and stable community by providing financial education, food, and nurturing accountability. We are grateful to have you and your family as part of the Birch community, and we look forward to partnering with you as you work toward greater stability and long-term success.
We believe every family in our program is capable of meaningful growth and lasting change. The progress we see in participants who thrive at Birch doesn't happen by chance, but comes through consistent effort, supportive relationships, and a commitment to following through on the steps that lead to greater stability. The program commitments you make are designed to help you build those habits while making the most of the opportunities, resources, and support available to you.
Each participant agrees to a set of program expectations that help create a positive, productive experience for everyone. When commitments are honored, the program runs smoothly, community resources can serve as many families as possible. Just as importantly, following through on commitments helps build the confidence, discipline, and personal responsibility that contribute to long-term financial success.
We understand that life is sometimes unpredictable and that unexpected circumstances can arise. If you anticipate being unable to meet a commitment, communicate with us as soon as possible. If you're registered for an activity, please cancel your sign-up through the Participant Portal as early as you can. Early communication allows us to support you appropriately, make adjustments when possible, and demonstrates your continued engagement in the program.
Because we want every participant to succeed, we are strengthening our expectations around missed commitments. These expectations are based on the structure that has consistently helped families make significant progress toward their goals. While we remain committed to showing grace and understanding when circumstances warrant, repeated missed commitments may jeopardize participation in the program.
These boundaries are not intended to be punitive. Rather, they are an expression of our commitment to your success and to the health of the Birch community as a whole. Nurturing accountability means supporting one another in following through on commitments, building healthy habits, and taking meaningful steps toward long-term stability. We believe this balance of support and accountability is one of the most powerful tools for creating lasting change.
Program Expectations
The following expectations are designed to support your success and help ensure that Birch Community Services can serve all participants effectively and fairly. By participating in the program, you agree to these expectations and understand that they will be applied consistently.
Financial Meetings
Your membership begins with a one-on-one online meeting with a financial counselor to discuss goals and create a starting plan. Thereafter, a meeting with your financial counselor is required every six months to review progress and adjust goals as needed.
Your counselor is here to support you throughout your journey. You are always welcome to schedule additional meetings or reach out by email with questions or concerns. If you are unable to attend a scheduled meeting, you must reschedule it before the reserved meeting time.
re$tart Financial Course
All families are required to complete re$tart, a four-session course that teaches foundational financial tools and helps shape your family's vision for the future.
The course must be completed within your first year of membership. Because each session builds on the last, live attendance at all four classes is required unless other arrangements have been made with your counselor.
Financial Classes
Additional financial classes are offered throughout the year and announced in Friday emails. After completing re$tart, you are welcome to register for these opportunities.
Because class space is limited, registering reserves a place for your household. Missing a class after registering without communicating in advance will result in a missed commitment.
Program Dues
All participants and staff support the Birch community by paying program dues of $100 per household each month. These dues help sustain a program that has served families for more than 30 years.
Dues are paid for the upcoming month by the end of the current month (For example, dues for August are due on or before July 31.). Payments may be made by cash, check, debit card (processing fee applies), or recurring ACH.
Returned or rejected payments incur a $15 fee and must be resolved before shopping that month. Dues paid late will result in a missed commitment.
Volunteering
Participant volunteering is a key part of the Birch model, helping keep costs low while strengthening our community. Each household is required to complete a minimum of two consecutive volunteer hours each month.
If a family has more than four outstanding volunteer hours, your household won't be able to shop until volunteer hours are brought below four. Volunteer hours may only be completed by members of the participating household and may not be shared, split, or banked for future months.
If you cannot attend a scheduled shift, please cancel online at least two hours before a regular warehouse shift or 24 hours before a garden or specialty shift. Missing a shift, or cancelling inside the window, will result in a missed commitment.
Regular Shopping
Regular shopping is an important part of making the most of your Birch membership. Participants are expected to shop at least once each month.
After 30 days without shopping, a missed commitment will be recorded, and an automated email will be sent with a deadline to shop or contact staff. If no shopping occurs and we do not hear from the participant by the deadline, the account may be closed at the staff's discretion.
In Closing…
Everyone at Birch Community Services is committed to helping your family make meaningful progress toward your goals and greater financial stability. The expectations outlined in this guide are not simply program requirements, but are part of the proven structure that helps participants build healthy habits, stay engaged, and make the most of the support available through Birch.
Participants remain in good standing by:
Paying monthly dues on time (before the 1st)
Participating in required financial education activities
Completing monthly volunteer commitments, including a quarterly closing shift
Shopping regularly
Communicating with staff when challenges arise
We understand that life can be unpredictable, and we encourage you to reach out whenever you need support. If you have questions or concerns, please contact our office at 503-251-5431 or bcs@birchcommunityservices.org. We are grateful to have you and your family as part of the Birch community, and we look forward to partnering with you as you work toward greater stability and long-term success.
