Grace and Favor: A Family Care Story
Family Care mom of five, Kasandra, is a living example of how the Lord intercedes for us and provides hope and healing in His perfect timing.
After a long road of broken relationships, realizing the inevitable loss of her home and not being able to afford daycare for her younger children, Kasandra found Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes’ (ABCH) Family Care program in Gardendale. Family Care has proven to be a safe and healthy shelter for her and her children.
This transitional program can last for up to one year. In that time, mothers receive specialized and focused care from our house managers, social workers, and counselors to help them achieve their goals, realize their full potential, and leave our doors stronger and more ready to face any new trials that may come their way. Family House House Manager in Gardendale, Valencia Pritchett says, “The key to getting our moms back on their feet is to empower them to regain their independence rather than to fall back on their past.”
TRIALS ALWAYS COME
Shortly after entering our program, Kasandra found herself in a new trial that initially threatened to cut her time short with us. Because we are helping ladies to learn how to live independently and how to navigate life as a single mom, having an automobile is a requirement to be in the Family Care program.
Having a car means they are able to get their children to and from school or daycare, to go to work consistently, and have the freedom to go to any appointments they need to make or keep. For Kasandra, because of someone else’s negligence in taking care of the car she had, the car’s tag was disqualified for renewal and could no longer be driven.
With school, appointments, and job interviews on her calendar, Kasandra was at a loss as to what to do. She had no one to call on to help and no means to get another vehicle. The situation seemed dire—yet it was the perfect backdrop for Kasandra to be in the midst of, as she began to see the Lord unfold a plan for her provision that actually began years ago.
ORDERED STEPS THAT CROSS PATHS
Having faced similar times like this and knowing the panic and anxiety that can so easily overwhelm you in these trials as a single mom, Valencia knew she couldn’t just bail her out with cash or give her a car—but she did feel like she could do something. Valencia was, just a few years ago, in the Family Care program herself as a single mom who came to us from Mobile with nothing but a full tank of gas and just five dollars to her name. Time and time again, she had seen God work in wonderful and mysterious ways, and she believed He had a plan for Kasandra and her kids too.
While in Family Care, Valencia was introduced to a group of wonderful people through an Alabama non-profit, Clerestory. Their focus is on long-term, relationally-based solutions for the materially poor rather than short-term relief-based efforts. A major component of Clerestory is their effective running of the “Jobs for Life” program. In Jobs for Life, men and women learn to experience the dignity of work through honest relationships, mentoring, Biblically-based training, and an ongoing community of support.
Years ago as a participant, Valencia was skeptical and resistant to go through this program, not understanding why she needed to do it. But she was strongly encouraged by the wisdom of her Family Care manager to participate, and she is so glad she did. Today, she says, “Had I known all I would have gained back then, I would have jumped at the chance. I still see my mentors and talk with them regularly. It’s a support system that doesn’t end when the classes end.”
And a support system, for every one of us, is often times key in helping us stay on our feet.
THINGS STARTING TO COME TOGETHER
Though Kasandra initially didn’t qualify for their program, not having a job yet (she was interviewing for one at the time) and also didn’t have a vehicle (a requirement to be able to attend the 12-week classes), the Lord showed her grace and favor.
Because of the commitment Valencia had to the program and the relationships she had formed over the past two years with Clerestory, the organization prayerfully took a chance on Kasandra and made an exception and allowed her to enroll.
In addition, to ensure she could get to class, they provided a temporary lease on a vehicle to get her started, trusting she would secure employment (which she did) and begin making payments on a car (which she has). Valencia adds, “It was also somewhat of a small miracle that her job schedule within retail, could be rearranged for her to participate in this program.” Soon, Kasandra will be able to call this car her own and will complete her classes in a few, short weeks!
All of these things coming together ultimately ensured Kasandra and her children’s stay in the Family Care program. Valencia says, “If not for His grace, she would not have this vehicle and her placement would have been disrupted. God orchestrated ALL of this. He has a plan for her and her children, and I’m happy to be a part.”
Kasandra shares, “I have been able to feel like a part of a family since I came to ABCH. It helps to have other women who have been through some of the same hardships as I have and who understand. It also helps to know that there are so many people that donate their time and resources to help us just live each day. I feel like we are all taken care of without ‘owing’ anyone in any kind of way, and we do not feel uncomfortable accepting the help.”
Kasandra has made considerable progress in her time with us. Reflecting, she is very candid and hopeful, “The road hasn’t always been smooth for me; even here at ABCH. But, I would not change a thing. I can see how God had a plan for everything. It sounds funny, but I’m thankful for the hard days and times because every time, it teaches me something or it humbles me a little bit more. It gives me a lesson in life, and it gives me more compassion for other people going through hard times.
“We’re the ones who make it hard because we feel like we’re carrying so many burdens . . . you don’t have to do that. You can give those burdens to God and just not worry. He will have everything in place for you, at the end.”
Kasandra will graduate from the Jobs for Life program later this month and from our Family Care program in March. Please pray for her, her five children, and the other families in our care, that they will continue to see God’s hand in their lives and trust Him to be the one who meets their every need.
In addition to our home in Gardendale, there is a home in Alabaster, and our newest home has just opened in Mobile. To learn more about our Family Care ministry, please visit us here.