This column relates accounts of family engagement by Together with Families (TwF), a nonprofit working to keep families together while avoiding child welfare involvement. The names of the family members have been changed to provide anonymity.
In August 2023, Serenity and her 10-year-old son, Jeremiah, were living in a storage unit with no heat, no water and no beds — only a blanket on the floor. Serenity lives with developmental delays and mental health challenges that make it difficult to navigate systems or advocate for herself. Without support and guidance, she was unable to manage the crisis alone.
When Jeremiah disclosed their living situation to a school staff member, the school was faced with a choice. In many cases, disclosures like this lead to a call to child protective services (CPS). But because of our existing relationship with Cobb County schools, they reached out to us instead.
Our response was immediate. A local food bank provided groceries. A transportation partner helped us relocate Serenity and Jeremiah to a hotel, and we covered the cost of a weeklong stay. This short-term solution created space to begin planning for long-term stability. The following morning, Serenity met with a coach and navigator to develop SMART goals — specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives — focused on safety and stability.
Housing was the top priority. We helped Serenity apply for a permanent supportive housing voucher, but her application was initially denied. Our team helped her file an appeal and worked with county and regional agencies to advocate for her. In the meantime, shelter options in our area were full, so we paid for additional motel stays and coordinated a room through a partner shelter in a neighboring county. To keep Jeremiah in his current school, we arranged daily transportation through Lyft.
In January, Serenity developed a severe stomach infection and was hospitalized. With no caregiver available for Jeremiah while she was hospitalized, CPS was notified. Fearing the loss of custody, Serenity considered leaving the hospital against medical advice. Instead, she called her TwF Parent Ally. That night, a member of our extended network — a former staff member and licensed foster parent — opened her home to Jeremiah. When CPS arrived, they allowed him to remain there, reassured by the support already in place. The following morning, we connected directly with the CPS caseworker to advocate for Serenity and explain the infrastructure of care surrounding the family.
Serenity remained hospitalized for two more days. Throughout her stay, we coordinated with her medical team and support network. Upon discharge, she was immediately reunited with Jeremiah — no separation, no system disruption. This outcome was possible because of the trusted, human-centered community network already in place.
On January 29, 2024, Serenity and Jeremiah moved into a two-bedroom townhouse with a permanent supportive housing voucher in place — their first stable home in over two years. She continued to receive coaching in budgeting, life skills and long-term planning. Her story reflects the power of a holistic, ecosystem-based approach to family support — where partners are not just referral sources, but active collaborators.
Today, Serenity is working, housed and parenting her son in a safe, nurturing environment. Her story is not one of rescue. It is one of resilience, community and the power of showing up differently for families experiencing a crisis.
