A Little Girl Kept Safe Through a TFG Hosting

Charlize had made the brave decision to end an abusive relationship. However, her former partner told her he needed to get things from Charlize’s apartment.

With little heads-up, Charlize suddenly found herself preparing for her abuser to walk back through her apartment door, and was afraid for her daughter, Selena. Her worst fear was that her ex would act out violently against Selena. All she needed was a place for Selena to spend the night, somewhere she would be loved and cared for—but most of all—somewhere safe.

So, Charlize called Together for Good. 

Bria, a TFG Case Manager, received Charlize’s call that Friday morning. Fridays at TFG are full of driving and logistics as case managers meet parents and host families across the Twin Cities. Scheduling a last-minute, emergency hosting was the last thing on Bria’s mind. 

However, Bria knew that Selena needed a safe place to spend the night. So, she began calling host families. 

“Selena has autism, so finding care is difficult,” Bria shared. By this point, she had called a number of host families, all of whom were unable to care for Selena that evening.

The next person on Bria’s list was Annie. “Before calling Annie, I prayed and asked the Lord to provide for Charlize and Selena.”

When Bria explained the need and hosting logistics to Annie, Annie said that she and her family would be happy to host Selena. 

5 hours after Charlize first called Bria, she and Selena were meeting Annie for Selena’s hosting. 

Charlize with Selena during pick-up.

“It was a very last-minute hosting,” Annie said, “But I happened to not only have a wide open day but also had the energy to meet the need, which was only from the Holy Spirit, considering the stressful week I had!” 

The hosting was full of laughter and joy as Selena played in the gorgeous spring weather alongside Annie’s own children.

“I am so thankful I met Charlize and Selena,” Annie shared. “Charlize and I clicked immediately, the hosting went smoothly, and the Lord provided everything Charlize and Selena needed that day.”

After Selena was returned to Charlize, Charlize told her case manager, “My daughter had an amazing and safe time because of her host mom and her wonderful family. God is definitely looking out for us, and I was so blessed to be connected with Together for Good. I'm so thankful for the support I now have. I cannot say thank you enough!"

The hosting went so well that Selena already has another hosting set up with Annie’s family! 

TFG case managers never know what type of call is going to come on a Monday or Friday, but they are prepared to do everything they can to make emergency hostings happen so that every child is in the safest place possible.

We are so grateful for the incredible host families who say “yes” at the last minute, opening up their homes for a hosting, and their hearts for a relationship. 

“I cannot thank my case manager and host mom enough,” Charlize said, “They have been such a blessing when we needed it most!”

*Names have been changed to protect privacy.