A Birthday Blessing for a Mom in Crisis

Clarise* has been a Together for Good participant since the beginning of 2024, primarily receiving monthly respite hostings for her two young sons. Toward the end of last year, Clarise found out she was expecting another baby boy. Clarise was excited to welcome a new baby but quickly realized that her current home could not fit a new family member, so Clarise decided not to renew her lease and began looking for a new place to live. 

Unfortunately, the housing search proved to be harder than she had anticipated. Clarise soon found her only option was an extended motel stay. For nearly a month, Clarise and her five-year-old and three-year-old sons have been living in a motel room. 

This month, Clarise finally found a house that would be perfect for her family! She had been saving up for the deposit and had more than 60% of the money needed. When a support volunteer, Angie, heard that Clarise was close to the total needed for the deposit, she called Clarise’s TFG case manager, Jennifer, and offered to cover the total remaining. 

Jennifer smiled as she told Angie how much this would mean to Clarise, especially since, unbeknownst to Angie, that day was Clarise’s birthday! 

With the best birthday gift in hand, Clarise was able to secure a new home for her family.

A few weeks ago, several TFG volunteers met Clarise and her sons at the motel and helped move them into their new home. Not only did the Together for Good community help with the move, but several volunteers donated needed furniture items so that when Clarise and her sons moved in, their new place felt like home.

Clarise told Jennifer, "This is a huge weight lifted off my shoulders! TFG supports me so much! They provided guidance and support in moving. The help I get from TFG is amazing and, honestly, has saved my life. Without them and their continuous support, my kids and I would not be comfortable in our new home." 

When a family is supported by Together for Good, they no longer have to face life and its uncertainties alone. For Clarise, she had people in her corner while life was stable, and when she experienced a season of uncertainty. 

She and her sons have a safety net of community that has proven to her that they will be with her for the long haul, in whatever way she needs. 

*Names changed to protect privacy.