OUR WORK IN REAL LIFE 

Bethany was quite anxious about TFG and being separated from her daughter, Avery*. But despite her nerves, Bethany agreed to the hosting. She knew that she needed a break—and more importantly—that she needed people to support her as she raised Avery.

With four kids of their own—all under six years of age—Allison and Donavon Sundquist resisted becoming a Together for Good host family at first.

Three years ago, Paula was referred to Together for Good by a school social worker, who thought additional support would be helpful to Paula as she raised her two grandsons, Sean and Dominic.

Taylor* didn’t want to have her 6-month-old daughter, Jessa*, hosted. She couldn’t imagine trusting a complete stranger with her precious baby. But Taylor was working nights, caring for her 7 and 8-year-old children, and trying to pacify Jessa, who was extremely colicky. So Taylor hesitantly agreed to a hosting. That was two years ago.

Seven months ago, TFG host parents Parker and Dominque Mullenbach were paired with two sisters, Kaelah* and Savanna*. The Mullenbachs typically host Kaelah and Savanna monthly to give their mom, Teagan*, a break. Teagan is only 21 and is caring for her two young daughters as well as several of her own siblings.

After a two-year court battle, Allen finally received custody of his 5-year-old son, Bryce*. Bryce was able to move in with his father, leaving a harmful living situation involving severe neglect.

“Together for Good gave me wonderful families to care or my kids when my world was falling apart."

Brooklyn* saw the two pink lines on the pregnancy test, and didn’t know what to do. How was she supposed to parent as a single mom without any support?

Kalena bravely chose to leave an abusive relationship. She fled from Chicago to Minneapolis carrying only a single suitcase and her three-year-old daughter, Vanessa. When Kalena arrived in Minnesota, she knew no one and had no idea where to go. Miraculously, Kalena was connected to Together for Good.

Dalma arrived in Waco, Texas, with her 8-year-old son, Marcus, seeking asylum after having fled difficulties in Venezuela. She did not know a single person in the city, could not speak English, and had nowhere to even spend the night. To make matters more difficult, Marcus has Down Syndrome and is very high-needs. “When I arrived in this city, my situation was not easy."

When Kayla* called Together for Good, the father of her kids had just passed away and she was overwhelmed by single-parenting her three children while finishing her degree.

When Norah was kicked out of her home by her boyfriend with her four young children, she was desperate. She had no one to turn to but knew that she didn't want her children to sleep on the streets, so she called Child Protective Services (CPS).

Molly* is a participant mom who connected with Together for Good two years ago. At that time, Molly had a baby boy, Sean*, whom she was desperate to keep. Molly had already lost older children to child protective services (CPS) due to her struggle with substances. Sean was a second chance.