An Emergency Hosting On Valentine’s Day

It seems like everywhere you turn in the month of February, there is a little note, marketing quip, or sign about how to show someone they are loved. This past month at Together for Good, volunteers set the bar when it comes to showing vulnerable families that they are seen, known, and loved. 

In fact, on Valentine’s Day, a host family went above and beyond to help a participant mom who had suddenly become sick with the flu. 

Evie* is an incredible single mom who has been connected with Together for Good for nearly a year. With a lack of support from her family, Evie has faced significant financial burdens as she cares for her three children. Currently, Evie and her children are navigating homelessness. One of our partner churches has come alongside Evie, covering the cost of a hotel stay while she searches for a long-term place to stay.

In every way, Evie and her children have been wrapped in support from TFG volunteers, and this Valentine’s Day was a beautiful example of this. When Evie unexpectedly came down with the flu, her son’s host family immediately offered to take all three children for the day, giving Evie the chance to simply be sick without the added stress of caring for her children in a hotel room.

Her kids had an incredible time with their host family – enjoying a special dinner and helping make their chosen dessert. During the hosting, Evie’s kids also made sweet Valentine’s Day cards for their mom that they gave her when they returned.

Valentine's Day cards made during the hosting

Knowing that Evie would appreciate longer than a day’s break as she recovered, her TFG case manager, Chic, organized a week-long hosting for Evie’s kids. Two TFG host families stepped in and cared for Evie’s children. These hostings gave Evie the opportunity to fully rest and heal more quickly, knowing her children were safe and with people who loved them. 

But host families weren’t the only TFG volunteers to make participants feel seen and loved this month.

To make this Valentine’s Day special for participant moms, a support volunteer made and delivered flower arrangements to every mom being served by Together for Good, including Evie!

Flower arrangements being prepped!

Valentine’s Day weekend can be a hard time for many of our participants – nearly all of the moms we serve are single parents, and many have a painful history with the idea of love. However, our volunteers are showing – in a variety of ways – that there are people who love them and who will not leave them.

*Names have been changed to protect privacy.