When Church Becomes Community

When Shawna called Together for Good in Iowa for help, she was overwhelmed by the stress of single-parenting several children without adequate resources. Shawna had heard that TFG offered respite hostings for kids and was hoping to receive hosting services. Her children were teenagers, so we were unable to provide respite care for Shawna. However, the TFG case manager conducting the intake still wanted to extend support to Shawna and asked if she would be open to a parent advocate. Shawna said, “Yes,” and she was introduced to Lorrie.

Lorrie was eager to connect with Shawna and had a heart to help in any way possible. Reflecting on her first meeting with Shawna, Lorrie shared that it was apparent that Shawna was in continual “survival mode” as she cared for her children. Lorrie immediately jumped in to help where she could! She offered rides to both Shawna and her older kids and helped navigate financial burdens that Shawna was facing. However, Lorrie quickly realized that Shawna’s family had a higher level of need than she could meet alone, so she invited Shawna and her kids to become involved with her church. 

Lorrie’s church already had a separate ministry called the Dream Center that provides a variety of resources and services to families in need. Tammy, the church’s TFG Ministry Coordinator, quickly connected Shawna to the Dream Center – helping her and her kids with food, medical care, counseling, and community. 

Eventually, Shawna’s family moved to live closer to the Dream Center. To further build community, Lorrie invited Shawna’s oldest son, Devon, to join the tech team at the church. Devon is now on the schedule and regularly serving at the church. Through connecting with the church community and the Dream Center, Shawna moved from a state of “survival mode” to one of stability thanks to Lorrie’s intentional friendship. 

As Shawna became more connected with the Dream Center and her church, she conversely became less dependent on Together for Good. As her dependency on the TFG staff decreased, Shawna was worried that she would lose her relationship with Lorrie. Lorrie quickly alleviated Shawna’s concerns, reassuring her that their friendship was grounded in more than Lorrie’s status as a TFG parent advocate.

We are so blessed to have played a part in bringing community into Shawna’s life. But we are even more blessed to have witnessed firsthand the intentionality of Lorrie, Tammy, and their entire church in pursuing Shawna and her children. Shawna’s family has a support system stronger than any singular program or service, and we are so excited to see the continued impact that will have on her and her children’s future.

*Names changed to protect privacy.