VOLUNTEER
Why Volunteer for Better Together?
There are many ways to give back, but there is nothing like the satisfaction that comes from volunteering with Better Together. You can be part of alleviating a parent’s worst fears, which is losing their child to the foster care system, while encouraging them to seek help proactively. Our host families give parents peace of mind that their children are cared for, and, as a result, they feel empowered and motivated to accept the help of our volunteer mentors and job coaches. It’s a proven model that sets families up for success, so we can look forward to celebrating reunification with them!
Become a Church Partner
Churches are critical to our cause, enabling us to reach potential volunteers to serve as Host Families, Family Advocates, Job Coaches and Resource & Respite Volunteers. Better Together makes it easy to implement the Better Families program in your church. Simply share this mission with your congregation, and we’ll do the rest. We train volunteers and support them every step of the way, based on a model that has proven both successful and fulfilling.
ABOUT OUR FAMILIES
Be assured, we carefully screen parents, accepting only those who are willing to wholeheartedly receive the help you give. They promise to do their part to reach their goals.
Many of them are experiencing difficulties through no fault of their own, or simply because they are following negative patterns learned in childhood. We can help them break that cycle, impacting generations to come.
Here are some of the reasons our parents turn to us for help:
- Illness requiring frequent treatment
- Hospitalization due to medical emergency
- Loss of their husband or wife
- Single parenthood and lack of family support
- Job loss that leads to food and housing insecurity
We receive referrals from numerous community partners, but 60% of our referrals come from the Florida Department of Children and Families because they too see the value of preventing abuse and neglect before it starts.
Volunteer Testimonials
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Join hundreds of volunteers from Jacksonville to Naples. While we are currently serving families in 16 Florida counties, we are poised to expand statewide in the next three years. Be part of bringing Better Families to your community!
Click through each volunteer opportunity to learn more!
Our host families welcome a child – or multiple children – into their homes. This is often on a short-term basis while their parents work through a temporary crisis. The average stay is 41 days, but the impact lasts a lifetime. Compare that to 501 days, which is the average stay of a child in Florida foster care. Join more than 1,000 volunteers spanning the west coast, from Tampa to Naples, as we keep children safe and families together.
What it Takes
- Background check
- Training
- References
- Home safety check
There are certain skills many of us take for granted because we learned them from watching people in our own lives. However, not everyone has this advantage. Job coaches help others with simple advice like how to create resumes and dress for interviews. They model social skills and provide emotional support for those who struggle to believe in themselves, boosting their motivation and helping them set and achieve their goals.
What it Takes
- 1-2 hours each week
- Background check, training and references
When you’re alone, finding a way out of debt, addiction, homelessness and other serious challenges can feel impossible. A family mentor meets with parents weekly to help them accomplish their goals – whether that’s securing a job, finding safe housing, managing money or reuniting with their children.
What it Takes
- 1-2 hours each week
- Background check
- Training
- References
Faith-based coordinators provide important wrap-around services to Host Families. The coordinate support from congregations, providing meals, child care and other services.
What it Takes
- 2-3 hours each week
- Background check, training and references
Our host families welcome a child – or multiple children – into their homes. This is often on a short-term basis while their parents work through a temporary crisis. The average stay is 41 days, but the impact lasts a lifetime. Compare that to 501 days, which is the average stay of a child in Florida foster care. Join more than 1,000 volunteers spanning the west coast, from Tampa to Naples, as we keep children safe and families together.
What it Takes
- Background check
- Training
- References
- Home safety check
There are certain skills many of us take for granted because we learned them from watching people in our own lives. However, not everyone has this advantage. Job coaches help others with simple advice like how to create resumes and dress for interviews. They model social skills and provide emotional support for those who struggle to believe in themselves, boosting their motivation and helping them set and achieve their goals.
What it Takes
- 1-2 hours each week
- Background check, training and references
When you’re alone, finding a way out of debt, addiction, homelessness and other serious challenges can feel impossible. A family mentor meets with parents weekly to help them accomplish their goals – whether that’s securing a job, finding safe housing, managing money or reuniting with their children.
What it Takes
- 1-2 hours each week
- Background check
- Training
- References
Faith-based coordinators provide important wrap-around services to Host Families. The coordinate support from congregations, providing meals, child care and other services.
What it Takes
- 2-3 hours each week
- Background check, training and references
Our host families welcome a child – or multiple children – into their homes. This is often on a short-term basis while their parents work through a temporary crisis. The average stay is 41 days, but the impact lasts a lifetime. Compare that to 501 days, which is the average stay of a child in Florida foster care. Join more than 1,000 volunteers spanning the west coast, from Tampa to Naples, as we keep children safe and families together.
What it Takes
- Background check
- Training
- References
- Home safety check
There are certain skills many of us take for granted because we learned them from watching people in our own lives. However, not everyone has this advantage. Job coaches help others with simple advice like how to create resumes and dress for interviews. They model social skills and provide emotional support for those who struggle to believe in themselves, boosting their motivation and helping them set and achieve their goals.
What it Takes
- 1-2 hours each week
- Background check, training and references
When you’re alone, finding a way out of debt, addiction, homelessness and other serious challenges can feel impossible. A family mentor meets with parents weekly to help them accomplish their goals – whether that’s securing a job, finding safe housing, managing money or reuniting with their children.
What it Takes
- 1-2 hours each week
- Background check
- Training
- References
Faith-based coordinators provide important wrap-around services to Host Families. The coordinate support from congregations, providing meals, child care and other services.
What it Takes
- 2-3 hours each week
- Background check, training and references
Our host families welcome a child – or multiple children – into their homes. This is often on a short-term basis while their parents work through a temporary crisis. The average stay is 41 days, but the impact lasts a lifetime. Compare that to 501 days, which is the average stay of a child in Florida foster care. Join more than 1,000 volunteers spanning the west coast, from Tampa to Naples, as we keep children safe and families together.
What it Takes
- Background check
- Training
- References
- Home safety check
There are certain skills many of us take for granted because we learned them from watching people in our own lives. However, not everyone has this advantage. Job coaches help others with simple advice like how to create resumes and dress for interviews. They model social skills and provide emotional support for those who struggle to believe in themselves, boosting their motivation and helping them set and achieve their goals.
What it Takes
- 1-2 hours each week
- Background check, training and references
When you’re alone, finding a way out of debt, addiction, homelessness and other serious challenges can feel impossible. A family mentor meets with parents weekly to help them accomplish their goals – whether that’s securing a job, finding safe housing, managing money or reuniting with their children.
What it Takes
- 1-2 hours each week
- Background check
- Training
- References
Faith-based coordinators provide important wrap-around services to Host Families. The coordinate support from congregations, providing meals, child care and other services.
What it Takes
- 2-3 hours each week
- Background check, training and references
Our host families welcome a child – or multiple children – into their homes. This is often on a short-term basis while their parents work through a temporary crisis. The average stay is 41 days, but the impact lasts a lifetime. Compare that to 501 days, which is the average stay of a child in Florida foster care. Join more than 1,000 volunteers spanning the west coast, from Tampa to Naples, as we keep children safe and families together.
What it Takes
- Background check
- Training
- References
- Home safety check
There are certain skills many of us take for granted because we learned them from watching people in our own lives. However, not everyone has this advantage. Job coaches help others with simple advice like how to create resumes and dress for interviews. They model social skills and provide emotional support for those who struggle to believe in themselves, boosting their motivation and helping them set and achieve their goals.
What it Takes
- 1-2 hours each week
- Background check, training and references
When you’re alone, finding a way out of debt, addiction, homelessness and other serious challenges can feel impossible. A family mentor meets with parents weekly to help them accomplish their goals – whether that’s securing a job, finding safe housing, managing money or reuniting with their children.
What it Takes
- 1-2 hours each week
- Background check
- Training
- References
Faith-based coordinators provide important wrap-around services to Host Families. The coordinate support from congregations, providing meals, child care and other services.
What it Takes
- 2-3 hours each week
- Background check, training and references
Our host families welcome a child – or multiple children – into their homes. This is often on a short-term basis while their parents work through a temporary crisis. The average stay is 41 days, but the impact lasts a lifetime. Compare that to 501 days, which is the average stay of a child in Florida foster care. Join more than 1,000 volunteers spanning the west coast, from Tampa to Naples, as we keep children safe and families together.
What it Takes
- Background check
- Training
- References
- Home safety check
There are certain skills many of us take for granted because we learned them from watching people in our own lives. However, not everyone has this advantage. Job coaches help others with simple advice like how to create resumes and dress for interviews. They model social skills and provide emotional support for those who struggle to believe in themselves, boosting their motivation and helping them set and achieve their goals.
What it Takes
- 1-2 hours each week
- Background check, training and references
When you’re alone, finding a way out of debt, addiction, homelessness and other serious challenges can feel impossible. A family mentor meets with parents weekly to help them accomplish their goals – whether that’s securing a job, finding safe housing, managing money or reuniting with their children.
What it Takes
- 1-2 hours each week
- Background check
- Training
- References
Faith-based coordinators provide important wrap-around services to Host Families. The coordinate support from congregations, providing meals, child care and other services.
What it Takes
- 2-3 hours each week
- Background check, training and references
Our host families welcome a child – or multiple children – into their homes. This is often on a short-term basis while their parents work through a temporary crisis. The average stay is 41 days, but the impact lasts a lifetime. Compare that to 501 days, which is the average stay of a child in Florida foster care. Join more than 1,000 volunteers spanning the west coast, from Tampa to Naples, as we keep children safe and families together.
What it Takes
- Background check
- Training
- References
- Home safety check
There are certain skills many of us take for granted because we learned them from watching people in our own lives. However, not everyone has this advantage. Job coaches help others with simple advice like how to create resumes and dress for interviews. They model social skills and provide emotional support for those who struggle to believe in themselves, boosting their motivation and helping them set and achieve their goals.
What it Takes
- 1-2 hours each week
- Background check, training and references
When you’re alone, finding a way out of debt, addiction, homelessness and other serious challenges can feel impossible. A family mentor meets with parents weekly to help them accomplish their goals – whether that’s securing a job, finding safe housing, managing money or reuniting with their children.
What it Takes
- 1-2 hours each week
- Background check
- Training
- References
Faith-based coordinators provide important wrap-around services to Host Families. The coordinate support from congregations, providing meals, child care and other services.
What it Takes
- 2-3 hours each week
- Background check, training and references
Our host families welcome a child – or multiple children – into their homes. This is often on a short-term basis while their parents work through a temporary crisis. The average stay is 41 days, but the impact lasts a lifetime. Compare that to 501 days, which is the average stay of a child in Florida foster care. Join more than 1,000 volunteers spanning the west coast, from Tampa to Naples, as we keep children safe and families together.
What it Takes
- Background check
- Training
- References
- Home safety check
There are certain skills many of us take for granted because we learned them from watching people in our own lives. However, not everyone has this advantage. Job coaches help others with simple advice like how to create resumes and dress for interviews. They model social skills and provide emotional support for those who struggle to believe in themselves, boosting their motivation and helping them set and achieve their goals.
What it Takes
- 1-2 hours each week
- Background check, training and references
When you’re alone, finding a way out of debt, addiction, homelessness and other serious challenges can feel impossible. A family mentor meets with parents weekly to help them accomplish their goals – whether that’s securing a job, finding safe housing, managing money or reuniting with their children.
What it Takes
- 1-2 hours each week
- Background check
- Training
- References
Faith-based coordinators provide important wrap-around services to Host Families. The coordinate support from congregations, providing meals, child care and other services.
What it Takes
- 2-3 hours each week
- Background check, training and references
Host Families: All We Ask is a Short Commitment
Reunification has a goal date of 90 days, but on average children are reunited with their parents after just 45 days! Our volunteers find 45-90 days is never enough, though, and continue to serve. They clearly get hooked on this amazing experience. In fact, many of them have been with us from our inception in 2015.
Giving Through Donations
Perhaps volunteering doesn’t fit your abilities or lifestyle. Maybe the timing isn’t quite right, but you want to give. Because our Host Families don’t get paid, they really appreciate help with meeting children’s basic needs. Better Together seeks financial contributions or donations of diapers, baby food, formula, clothing, toys and other essentials.
