Jaslyn asked the question with her heart.
“Can we have our own place again?”
Jason answered with his.
“Yes. We will.”
It’s been challenging for Jason to keep his promise to Jaslyn and her sister Madelyn.
Jason says the girls’ mother left the family several weeks ago. Unable to afford child care, Jason stopped working and began living in a tent at a park with the girls. When their conditions worsened, they made their way to the Salvation Army in Fort Myers. There were no family units available.
But while there, Jason connected with Better Together.
Vanessa Estrada, Better Together’s executive director in Southwest Florida, found a volunteer host family to care for Jaslyn and Madelyn. She also got the girls health checkups and desperately needed clothes and shoes. Team member Christy Sanchez is also helping care for the girls.
Family support manager Ronald Zuniga is mentoring Jason and helping him get a job and a place to live. More importantly, the team is ensuring the loving bond Jason has with Jaslyn and Madelyn remains strong.
The girls visited Jason recently while he was on break from doing freelance mechanic work.
“Daddy,” exclaimed Madelyn. Her little arms pulling him close.
“I’m working for you little girls,” said Jason as they hugged him with all their might.
“We’ll have a place again,” said Jaslyn. “With you.”
As we continue to assist Jason, Madelyn, and Jaslyn, we need more host families and mentors to support families throughout Florida.
To volunteer: https://bettertogetherus.org/better-families/volunteer/learn-more
Video and Story by Kinfay / Better Together
