Ana Has Support for the Long Haul

Ana had her son when she was in high school, and was still in foster care herself. For the last two years, Together for Good host families have been a cornerstone in Ana’s life, providing monthly respite hostings for her son, Andrew, allowing Ana to work part-time and focus on graduating high school. 

Ana is determined and capable, and an incredible mother to Andrew. 

However, the stability that Ana has built for her life over the last few years was recently upended when she found out that she is expecting.

Ana called her Together for Good case manager, Jen, overwhelmed at the prospect of having another baby. Jen readily reassured Ana that she had the strength to parent this new baby and that TFG would be with her on this journey. 

Ana’s pregnancy has not been easy. She has found herself incredibly ill and—with an active toddler—completely overwhelmed. For the past three weeks, TFG host families have stepped up with multi-day respite hostings for Andrew every weekend. 

During the most recent hosting, Ana ended up going into the ER for fluids, something that was only possible because Andrew was safe with his host parents. 

Supporting vulnerable families is not a one-and-done situation, especially when a mom is young and grew up in foster care, without family or a strong community to support her. 

The beauty of Together for Good host families is that they are here for the long haul. Andrew’s host families have spent years building a relationship with him and with Ana. In this season of uncertainty and immediate crisis, Ana isn’t alone. She knows she has people she can trust, people who love her and her children.

During a recent phone call with Jen, Ana shared that she didn’t think she could parent her new baby. Not by herself. That’s when Jen gently reminded her that she won’t be doing this by herself. 

It is an honor that Ana has chosen to trust TFG, that she feels secure enough to share her fears about the future with her case manager. It is even more of an honor to assure Ana that Together for Good will be walking with her through this pregnancy and once her new baby is here. 

Through the support of her host families and TFG staff, Ana, Andrew, and this new baby will be wrapped in an intentional, loving community that will stand by them no matter what comes.

*Names have been changed to protect identity.