OUR WORK IN REAL LIFE 

Not having a reliable car imposed a lot of limitations on Daisy’s life—specifically when it came to getting to work—and the projected cost of repairs on the car would be more expensive than the car was worth. Lack of reliable transportation was one of the final barriers preventing Daisy’s family from moving forward with greater stability and independence.

Clarise* has been a Together for Good participant since the beginning of 2024, primarily receiving monthly respite hostings for her two young sons. Toward the end of last year, Clarise found out she was expecting another baby boy. Clarise was excited to welcome a new baby but quickly realized that her current home could not fit a new family member, so Clarise decided not to renew her lease and began looking for a new place to live.

It seems like everywhere you turn in the month of February, there is a little note, marketing quip, or sign about how to show someone they are loved. This past month at Together for Good, volunteers set the bar when it comes to showing vulnerable families that they are seen, known, and loved. In fact, on Valentine’s Day, a host family went above and beyond to help a participant mom who had suddenly become sick with the flu.

When Bates first heard about Together for Good, her heart was immediately drawn to serve. She was excited about the idea of coming alongside parents and children that society often overlooked. Bates’ prayer was that she could show the love of Christ to these moms through an intentional friendship. As she began serving as a parent advocate, she prayed that God would provide opportunities to build a life group with TFG moms.

Two years ago, Colleen called Together for Good Iowa seeking a long-term hosting for her son, Caleb, while she received an inpatient bone marrow transplant to treat her cancer.

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.

Kenzie was expecting twins and had been admitted to the hospital the day before due to complications with her pregnancy. Kenzie and the social worker had just finished a conversation with Kenzie’s OB-GYN, who strongly recommended that Kenzie stay in the hospital on bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy to protect her health and that of her babies. The problem? Kenzie had nowhere for her six-year-old daughter to stay for ten weeks

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.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.

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?

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 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).

Lisa was living in transitional housing with her three daughters when she first heard about Together for Good in Waco. Lisa reached out to our staff, hoping to receive respite care for her two youngest daughters, Anna and Olivia. Lisa was working 4 am to 9 am shifts at a shipping company six days a week to save money to sign a lease on an apartment, providing more stable housing for her family. While Lisa worked, Alexis – her teenage daughter – cared for the four and six-year

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 adv

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.

When Cathy came to us, she had been given custody of her grandchildren and was overwhelmed by the demands of caring for so many kids.

Families quickly came around, Allison; it was their support that allowed her to keep her job.

With dropping temperatures at each of our sites – even in Texas– this past month, our volunteers have been so faithful in quickly meeting our participants' urgent needs for warm clothing.