A step of faith

Inna sat in a classroom at Anthony’s House in Mount Dora recently and smiled.

The reason for Inna’s joy was in her arms; Phoenix, her 6-month-old daughter, smiled even brighter.

The moment almost didn’t happen.

A few weeks back, Inna, a single mother overcoming substance abuse, wanted to change medication and transfer to a facility that offered child care. However, she had no one to care for Phoenix while adjusting to the new medication.

“I had nobody in the world,” said Inna. She was worried that Phoenix might end up in foster care if she couldn’t find someone she could trust to care for her. Overwhelmed, Inna thought everything was falling apart, but she kept her faith, and then everything started falling into place.

A counselor told Inna about Better Together and how their volunteer host families temporarily care for children while their parents work through challenges. Apprehensive but hopeful, Inna reached out to Tara Williams, a family support manager.

“She was honest, didn’t have anything hidden, explained everything, and was passionate about helping me,” said Inna of meeting Tara. Inna thought and prayed about the opportunity for two days.

Then Inna stepped out on faith.

When Tara asked volunteer host family David and Katie Bennett if they could care for Phoenix, they said yes.

“It’s our job to step in and help where we can and when we can,” said Katie.

“My wife is a superhero too,” added David of Katie’s calling to help single mothers facing crises. Before moving to Lake County, the Bennetts helped a single mother in active addiction and her daughter while living in New Hampshire.

However, Katie didn’t need to be a superhero for Phoenix because the Bennetts’ children were eager to help.

“Her smile went right into my heart,” said Myles about Phoenix. He sang her songs while carrying her around the house.

Kinsley gave Phoenix bottles in the car, held her, and changed her diapers.

“Babies are adorable, but Phoenix is cuter than most,” said Harper, who also fed Phoenix.

“I love that they enjoy doing this,” said Katie. “I wanted to be able to do it with them and show them the impact it has.”

The Bennetts took Phoenix to their church, Hillside Community, and shared updates and pictures of her with Tara and Inna daily.

And after Inna successfully adjusted to her new medication, the Bennetts placed Phoenix back in Inna’s arms.

Looking in Katie’s eyes, Inna shared her heart.

“Thank you for helping me trust.”