Better Together, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening families and children, has received a $10,000 donation from Lakeland 100 to support its growing programs across Central Florida.
The generous gift will help Better Together expand its reach in Hardee, Highlands, Orange, Osceola, Polk and Seminole counties – communities where over 2,000 children are currently in foster care or out-of-home care.
A volunteer-driven, privately funded nonprofit, Better Together offers a community-driven approach to foster care prevention that focuses on strengthening families. Since launching its Central Florida region one year ago, the nonprofit has walked alongside more than 550 local families facing crisis, helping them find stability and hope through community support and compassionate volunteers.
When a parent faces a temporary crisis such as homelessness, a medical emergency or job loss, Better Together’s vetted volunteers step in. Host families provide a safe, loving home for the children short term, while staff and mentors empower the parents to overcome obstacles and rebuild their lives. Because job loss is at the root of most family crises, Better Together also offers a workforce program that champions job seekers through relational job fairs and job coaching.
“Our mission is to ensure no family walks alone, and the generous support of community groups like Lakeland 100 helps make that possible,” said Megan Rose, CEO of Better Together. “This contribution allows us to serve more families and children, building relationships and connecting them to the resources they need to thrive – whether it’s safe, temporary care for their children or meaningful employment.”
Lakeland 100 was founded from a desire to give back directly to the operations of local charities in the Lakeland community. This is accomplished by harnessing the collective philanthropy of at least 100 men who donate each year and vote on local charities to receive funding.
“Better Together reflects the very reason The Lakeland 100 exists – to uplift local organizations that make a lasting impact in our community. Their focus on keeping families together through love, support and opportunity creates hope where it’s needed most. This is exactly the kind of mission our members are proud to support, and we’re honored to be part of their journey,” said Joseph Little, Lakeland 100 board member and president of Bernie Little Distributors.
To date, Better Together has served more than 10,000 children, and 98% of children served through mentoring and hosting remain out of foster care. The nonprofit has also connected 40,000 job seekers to employment opportunities through church-based job fairs across 24 states.
Established in Southwest Florida in 2015, the nonprofit’s programming has rapidly expanded to reach families in six regions of Florida, which spans 48 counties. Its continued expansion is powered by generous donors, dedicated volunteers and a collective belief that strong communities keep families together.
To learn more about Better Together and how to get involved in supporting its mission, visit BetterTogetherUS.org.
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.
