Cascade United Methodist Church · College Ministry
For Pastor and Leadership
Program design principle
Anonymity by Design
Students never know who from Cascade is supporting them. Here's why that's intentional, and why it makes the program work.
Students interact with Cascade Care as their church showing up for them.
The app is the face. The people behind it are the infrastructure.
🎓
Student
Sees only "Cascade Care." No individual names, no photos, no personal connections. They know their church is with them. They don't know who, specifically.
🤝
Care team member
Responds through the app as "Cascade Care." Never identifies themselves to the student outside the app. In the hallway on Sunday, they're just a fellow church member.
🧭
Coordinator
The only person with full visibility. Maintains the boundary. One point of human accountability in the system.
Why it works
People are more honest when there are no social consequences for honesty. A student struggling with depression won't say so to someone they'll see at the 11am service. They will say so to a system that feels safe.
For volunteers, anonymity is equally protective. They're a caring person who checks in once a week, not a therapist, not on call. The boundary keeps them from being placed in situations they're not trained for.
Common questions
What if a student figures out who their care team member is?
The coordinator handles it. The student is reminded that many people from Cascade care about them, and the program is designed to let them receive that care without social pressure. The care team member doesn't confirm or deny their role.
What if a volunteer wants the student to know it's them?
Anonymity is non-negotiable and part of the commitment every volunteer makes before their first student is assigned. It protects the student and the volunteer equally.
Does the pastor know which students are enrolled?
No. The monthly digest is aggregate only: number of students active, wellbeing trends, SOS events. No individual names or scores. Ever.
What if a student is in crisis and needs to be identified?
In a declared safety emergency, the coordinator can access full information and involve family or emergency services. Students consent to this at onboarding. Anonymity never protects anyone from necessary intervention.
Is this actually pastoral?
Yes. The people behind the app are members of this congregation. Dr. Murriel's letter is in every care box. The church is present; the technology just removes the barriers that prevent honesty.
Every volunteer commits to this
You are anonymous to your student. You will never identify yourself outside the app. In the hall, you're a fellow church member. In the app, you are Cascade Care. These two things do not mix.