You Are Helping Diane Receive Housing

Diane is the proud mom of a beautiful three-year-old daughter and has been a participant at Together for Good (TFG) for the past year.

“She has overcome a lot in her life,” said Diane’s TFG case manager, Zaira. 

Receiving support from TFG has brought up mixed emotions for Diane. Despite conquering such significant hurdles and parenting so well, Diane tries to avoid being a burden to anyone in her life. Asking for help sometimes feels like too much. 

However, TFG volunteers continue to remind Diane that she is not a burden to them and that it is their joy to help her and her daughter in any way they can. 

Recently, Together for Good volunteers went above and beyond to show Diane that she is loved and not alone. 

Diane and her daughter had qualified for a home through Habitat for Humanity. “When I was accepted into the Habitat program, I was over the moon,” Diane said, “I had always dreamed of having a little home of my own—a place to share with my baby, where we could plant a fruit tree, paint the walls, and fill the rooms with memories and magic.”

As happy as Diane was to have this exciting prospect in her future, she was also overwhelmed. One of Habitat for Humanity’s requirements for receiving a home is that the recipient fulfill 300 hours of volunteer time.

“I quickly realized the 300 volunteer hours required for the program were no joke,” Diane shared. “Balancing them with being a full-time working single mom wasn’t easy at all.” 

Diane began using all her extra time to volunteer at Habitat. Whenever her daughter was hosted by TFG, Diane would spend the entire weekend working on her hours.

When Ziara heard Diane’s dilemma, the case manager asked Diane if she would appreciate help fulfilling those hours. One of the incredible things about Habitat for Humanity is that the 300 volunteer hours can be completed either by the individual or through a group of volunteers working on behalf of the recipient.

Diane couldn't believe that other people would give up their weekends and free time to help her. It seemed too good to be true.

So when Zaira showed up on a Saturday morning at the Habitat for Humanity worksite with several other TFG volunteers who had never even met Diane, Diane nearly began crying.

“People who had never even met me had volunteered their time to come work to help us achieve my goal – I almost cried. I felt so seen and supported, and I am incredibly grateful for everything the people of Together for Good have done and continue to do for myself and my daughter.”

Volunteers at the Habitat for Humanity worksite.

This type of sacrificial, tangible love is what TFG is all about. No matter what challenge a mom faces, we want her to know she does not have to overcome it alone. 

Through Together for Good, Diane and her daughter have a community of people who will be with them no matter what. Hopefully, in just a short time, these same people will be helping Diane and her daughter move into their brand new home. 

If you would like to help Diane fulfill her hours, contact Zaira at zaira@tfgood.org.

*Names changed to protect privacy.