OUR STORY
A Success Story for Thousands of Children, Parents and Job Seekers

The Better Together story began in 2015, when Megan Rose took the helm of a Chicago-based nonprofit model and started it the Southwest Florida community. After 10 years of working in the Florida child welfare system, she brought real-world experience and a heartfelt desire to prevent child abuse and neglect with an alternative to foster care.
Megan modified the program model, shifting from a state-funded approach to one that is 100% privately funded. As a result, she was able to inspire volunteerism at new levels and assure families that their children wouldn’t be taken away just because they needed help.
Soon, she recognized that what at-risk parents need most is jobs. So, Better Together began the Better Jobs program, partnering with churches and employers to restore people’s income and dignity. Thus, Better Together families and many others in the community have overcome significant barriers to employment and become self-sufficient, thriving members of society.
Since its inception, Better Together has helped more than 10,000 Florida children are successfully helping parents who wish to keep their families together. They have also connected more than 38,000 job seekers to work opportunities in 24 states and Washington, DC.
“We’ve innovated, grown and perfected our own model, learning what really works,” said Megan. “Now, we want to take what we’re doing with Better Families to all of Florida. And we plan to continue expanding Better Jobs by partnering with hundreds of churches across the country.”
To learn more about our impact, check out our most recent Annual Report.9
One Mission, Two Programs
Together, Better Families and Better Jobs provide a powerful platform for people who are ready to enact positive change. They are 100% privately funded and community driven, implemented by faith-based organizations and a caring volunteer force.
Learn more about each of these highly successful programs:
OUR FINANCIALS
Every dollar counts. When you donate to a nonprofit, you want to know your money is being used effectively and efficiently. Transparency and accountability are important to us, too. We work hard to make every dollar count, and we’re happy to share our financial forms, audits and reports with you here.
Meet the Better Together Board
Generosity underpins everything Better Together accomplishes on a daily basis. In addition to the hands-on volunteers in the field, we have an exceptional board of directors. These leaders lend a diverse array of knowledge and expertise. They graciously walk alongside and support the Better Together team.

TARREN BRAGDON
Founder and Board President

DOUG CAMPBELL
Board Director

RICHARD C. VAUGHAN
Board Director

Andrea Saputo Cox
Board Director

Christian Spilker
Board Director

PETER RIVERA
Board Director
Lee County Community Advisory Board

Bess Charles
Owner of LadyCakes Bakery, LLC

Bryan Blackwell
Managing Partner of Southern Oak Wealth Management

Chadd Hodges
Owner of Best Home Services

Cory Demmel
Pastor of Cape Christian Church

Josh Dorcey
Managing Partner of The Dorcey Law Firm, PLC

Michael Deluca
Principal-in-Charge of HBK CPAs & Consultants in Southwest Florida

Teri Hansen
President & Creative Director of Priority Marketing