Better Together, a nonprofit dedicated to families and children, has expanded to the Treasure and Space Coasts. To support the nonprofit’s programs in the Treasure Coast region, local distributor Southern Eagle Distributing has donated $400,000 to Better Together.
The donation was announced during the nonprofit’s launch celebration, held Aug. 23 at Southern Eagle’s location in Fort Pierce. The event brought together local leaders and community supporters for celebratory activities and a ribbon cutting ceremony, providing a chance for the community to learn more about the organization and how to get involved.
“The opportunity to bring Better Together’s programs into the Treasure Coast is made possible through the support of community, business and church partnerships, and we are so grateful for Southern Eagle Distributing’s generosity and belief in our mission,” said Megan Rose, CEO of Better Together. “These dollars will help us change lives in this region as we come alongside parents to provide a network of support and resources that aim to strengthen families and communities.”
Better Together is a nonprofit that helps parents who are going through a challenging time to keep their kids out of foster care, find work and address the root causes of their struggle so that they can reunite as a family with the tools and support system to thrive. Established in Southwest Florida just over five years ago, the nonprofit’s programming has rapidly expanded to reach families in 21 counties across the state. To date, the program has served over 5,900 children and kept 98% of families together, while helping nearly 39,000 job seekers across 22 states find employment.
“We are deeply inspired by Better Together’s mission to strengthen families, and we are proud to pledge our continued support to helping bring these valuable programs to our community,” said Philip A. Busch, president of Southern Eagle Distributing. “Better Together has a real, relational approach to meeting the needs of local families, and we look forward to seeing the impactful work their team carries out within the Treasure Coast region.”
The organization will begin serving families this month in the Central East Florida area, which spans the Treasure and Space Coasts, specifically those in Brevard, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties. In any given month, based on state data from the past year, these counties have more than 1,200 children in out-of-home care, a designation that largely includes foster care and group homes.
With the help of hundreds of volunteers and church communities, Better Together builds lasting support systems that help families cope with hardships – such as job loss, substance abuse, homelessness and jail time – and ensures that children are cared for in a safe home until the family can be reunited.
To learn more about Better Together, its programs and how to get involved, visit BetterTogetherUS.org. Churches interested in becoming a Better Together partner are encouraged to email Isis@BetterTogetherUS.org for more information.
ABOUT BETTER TOGETHER
Better Together is a nonprofit organization that helps parents going through a hard time keep their kids out of foster care, find work and address the root causes of their struggle so that they can reunite as a family with the tools and support system to thrive. A privately funded and professionally supported organization, Better Together is made up of volunteers who believe helping people help themselves is the best way to restore dignity and bring families together. Through the Better Families program, families are offered a preventive alternative to foster care while they get the help they need. To date, the program has kept 98% of children served out of foster care. The Better Jobs program was created to address the 76% of families that come to Better Together because of economic hardship tied to unemployment. In addition to community job fairs, the program offers job seekers coaching, guidance, support and encouragement through local church partners. For more information, visit BetterTogetherUS.org.
