"God has shown me that I am not forgotten."

Raquel had just been released from prison, reunited with her son and daughter, and moved in with her sister, Mercedes – things were looking up for the first time in months. 

However, in November, Mercedes’ landlord learned that Raquel and her children were living with Mercedes and demanded an additional $1,000 each month if Raquel continued to live in the home.

$1,000 a month was unattainable for either Mercedes or Raquel, who were currently both working as waitresses at a local diner. So Raquel packed up her son, daughter, and their few belongings and began searching for a new place to live.

During this time of uncertainty, Raquel was connected with Together for Good. 

Because of a shortage of available host families, Raquel’s children were not able to begin being hosted. However, Raquel’s TFG case manager, Zaira, was determined to help Raquel in this season. Zaira says, “Raquel was living shelter to shelter or in a motel if she could save up enough money. I said, ‘Okay, let’s think through solutions.’” Zaira wanted to bring stability to Raquel and her children’s lives. 

Zaira called Naomi’s Place, a shelter that specifically serves Hispanic moms and their children in Waco. Naomi’s Place had room for Raquel and her children!

“Raquel is a mom who is working hard to get her life together,” Zaira said. “Within a week of hearing about Naomi’s Place, Raquel had filed everything needed to get accepted.” Within two weeks of their initial conversation, Raquel and her children were moving into Naomi’s Place and finally had a stable place to live. 

Although her children are still waiting for their first hosting, Together for Good is becoming a trusted community for Raquel. She was just paired with a TFG parent advocate – an intentional friend who is committed to supporting and pursuing Raquel. 

Earlier this month, Raquel and her children experienced the tangible love of Together for Good through a Christmas basket. After a volunteer delivered a Christmas basket filled with gifts, treats, and activities for Raquel and her children to do together, the volunteer received this from Raquel: “Thank you so much for thinking of me and my family. Times have been hard, but God has shown me that I am not forgotten with this gift. God bless!”

This is why TFG volunteers spend time creating and delivering Christmas baskets every year – it is a tangible reminder to participants that they are seen, known, and loved.

Raquel is a capable mom who loves her children. She just needs a community to be as committed to her as she is to her children. 

Our staff is hopeful that a host family will soon say yes to walking alongside Raquel and her children. In the meantime, we are grateful for incredible support volunteers and her parent advocate who continue to surround Raquel with the love of Christ. 

*The names of participants have been changed to protect privacy.