By Faith Maddock

When our family first encountered Safe Families, we were living in Illinois and brand‑new to a church where opening your home was simply part of living out the gospel. I had no background in outreach, but the way that church served the community left a deep mark on us. It felt like, “This is what Jesus did, so this is what we do.”

When we moved to Kalamazoo, Safe Families wasn’t active yet. But when the chapter relaunched and began recruiting volunteers, for my husband Gunther and I, saying yes was easy. With a one‑year‑old at home, we planned to serve as Family Friends and hosting wasn’t even on our radar. We simply wanted to help however we could.

Then came a call from Jenny: a newborn needed a safe place to stay.

We had been praying every night for a baby, so the timing was unmistakably from God. Without hesitation, we said yes. We heard about the need on Tuesday; by Friday, we were picking up three‑week‑old Justice.

Justice’s mom, Cadrea, was facing postpartum mental health struggles and homelessness. Visits were inconsistent, and plans changed constantly. At one point, she asked if we would adopt him.

For months, we cared for Justice as our own son. It stretched our faith more than anything we had ever experienced as we poured out time, energy, and resources every day, even while I was pregnant with our second child and caring for two kids under two. Through every unknown, God carried us through.

Our church, Radiant, stepped in with support, providing formula, diapers, prayer, and a network of family and friends who surrounded us with practical help and encouragement.

Just when adoption seemed near and we were ready to make Justice legally part of our family, everything changed. On a Zoom call, Justice’s dad, Mason, appeared, found by a social worker through nothing more than a name and a city. He hadn’t known his son existed.

Meeting Mason and his fiancée was eye‑opening. We saw an excited father discovering a lost son and working hard to build a safe home. Slowly, reunification became the clear path forward, and God gave us overwhelming peace that this was right for Justice.

Today, Justice is thriving with his dad and family, including his half-brother. We remain part of their lives, invited to birthdays and exchanging pictures.

The events of our hosting could have left us devastated. Instead, our faith grew stronger. Justice wasn’t taken from us; he was released to be where God intended him to be. Nothing was wasted. He received the best first year of life we could give him, and we had the privilege of standing in the gap.

If you’re on the fence about volunteering, hear this from us: Whatever you give, the Lord will use. Nothing is too small. And you cannot imagine the impact your “yes” might have.

Safe Families is a radical way of life, one that reflects the heart of the church and the goodness of God. We are grateful the Lord allowed us to play a role in Justice’s story and for the ways He chose to provide for this child through the love of His people.

We met the Walker family at a moment when everything felt like it was unraveling. Their full‑time daycare had suddenly become unavailable, and with both parents working full‑time at the hospital, mandatorily scheduled on opposite weekends, they were running out of options. They had tried working with supervisors to align their schedules, but nothing changed. Exhausted and worried about how to keep their jobs, they reached out to Family & Children Services, who then contacted Safe Families to see if we could help.

Jenny, from our Safe Families staff, shared the need with our network. Karmen and Derek Ball responded almost immediately, offering to host the children until August. The families coordinated pick‑ups and drop‑offs, and the kids, Janey and Sam, quickly integrated with the Ball children, ages 12, 10, and 7. 

By mid‑June, due to busy summer schedules, the hosting with the Balls came to an end. Mom and dad continued pushing forward, making progress toward securing full‑time summer childcare. But weekend care, and care for 8‑year‑old Janiya on certain weekdays, remained out of reach financially.

Just then, another Safe Families couple, Jeff and Heather Offringa, had just completed their approval as a host family. With their work in the public schools, their summer schedule was more flexible, and with one high‑schooler at home, they felt they had room to help.

On a Thursday, Laura, our volunteer coordinator, called to congratulate them on completing their training. Then she added, “I have a big ask now that you’re officially Safe Families volunteers.” Jeff and Heather were on speakerphone when she explained the need: two children needing hosting the very next day. They laughed with relief, saying, “That’s not a big ask, we thought you were going to say six months or something like that!”

They agreed to meet the family coach, the parents, the kids, and Laura the next day to set up the hosting. And within 24 hours, a full Circle of Support (COS) had formed around the family:

• A Family Coach, Sarah Richards, committed to helping the parents secure permanent childcare
• A Family Friend, Karen DeVries, offered budgeting support and help with pick‑ups the Offringas couldn’t cover
• Resource Friends loaned two car seats for the duration of the hosting

Today, Janey and Sam and their parents continue to be supported by the Offringas on weekends and for end‑of‑day pick‑ups while the Walkers finish their shifts at the hospital.

It is a joy to witness love and support in motion. The children are safe, the parents are able to keep working, and the family remains together, surrounded by a community that cares. We praise God for weaving together people, timing, and compassion to meet this family’s needs in exactly the right moment. 

The McDonalds had only recently been approved as a Host Family through Valley Family Church when an unexpected New Year’s Eve referral came in from Bronson Hospital. A mother had arrived at the ER with what she believed was a minor injury, only to learn she was facing a serious infection that required an extended hospital stay. She had her two children with her, her four‑year‑old son and eleven‑year‑old daughter, and although she managed to find a friend who could help for a couple of days during the holiday break, it quickly became clear she would need more support. She was scared, in pain, and unsure how to keep her children safe while getting the medical care she urgently needed.

A Bronson social worker, familiar with Safe Families, reached out to us. Intake was completed that same day, and the McDonalds were contacted. Jason and Jodawna talked with their two high‑school daughters, and within just a couple of hours, they all agreed that they were willing to host. Leona Carter, newly approved as a Family Coach, stepped in immediately. With her background as a former foster parent and adoptive parent, she was eager to serve. She already knew the McDonalds from the media team at church, and she was excited to collaborate with them on this hosting.

A meeting was set at the hospital for the next day for Mom, the kids, the McDonalds, and Leona. Leona loved the open, honest dialogue that unfolded. She watched trust begin to form as the McDonalds talked with Mom about pets and showed a picture of their dog, something that instantly lit up her son, who adored puppies. That small moment softened the room and helped Mom feel safe. Hosting began within 24 hours.

Throughout the two‑week stay, Leona stayed in close contact with Mom while also supporting the McDonalds as they navigated the rhythms of hosting. The McDonalds’ daughters bonded quickly with the eleven‑year‑old girl. The four‑year‑old boy thrived too, playing with borrowed toys from a neighbor and joining in the lively pace of the McDonald household.

The family embraced the children fully, reading bedtime stories, including them in family dinners, and their normal activities and routines. The kids attended different schools at different times, which brought logistical challenges, but the McDonalds handled it with patience and flexibility.

During the hosting, Head Start asked for help getting the little boy to a check‑up and blood draw, and later a hearing test, appointments Mom had struggled to reach due to transportation barriers. The results revealed some concerns, and everyone hopes this will lead to answers and support he needs.

There were difficult moments too. Near the end of the hosting, communication became strained, and Mom asked for the children to return home earlier than planned. Jenny stepped in, offering calm guidance and reassurance to the McDonalds. Having that support made all the difference.

A week after the hosting ended, the McDonalds reached out to Mom to reconnect and asked if they could take her daughter to a WMU basketball game, something she had never experienced before. Mom agreed, and the outing went well. The relationship didn’t end with the hosting; it continued with warmth and mutual respect.

Reflecting on the experience, the McDonalds shared how rewarding it was to help a family in crisis, to provide stability, and to let their own daughters participate in meaningful service. “We’ve always had people to help us,” they said. “Not having anyone… we don’t know what that would feel like.” Leona echoed that sentiment. She saw God’s love meet this mother exactly where she was, no pretending, no pressure, just real support offered with dignity and compassion. “We surrounded her with love, help, and resources,” she said. “Consistent, real care. Right where she was.” Today, this family knows they have a place to turn if they need help again. 

The McDonalds, Leona, and Valley Family Church stepped in during a moment of crisis, offering stability, kindness, and hope. And even after the hosting ended, the connection remained, a reminder that sometimes the most powerful gift we can offer is simply to stay.

We met Joslyn, a 21-year-old single mom with a 2-year-old daughter, in early November. She had no family in the area and only a minimal support system. Her daughter was born while she was living in a homeless shelter, and for a short time, she moved in with the baby’s father, who helped with childcare while she worked. But Joslyn quickly realized this was not a healthy long-term situation. When she expressed her concerns, he moved out of state, leaving her to manage on her own. 

Without childcare, Joslyn lost her job, fell behind on bills and grew increasingly worried about how she would catch up. As her stress mounted and her mental health declined, she reached out to a crisis line. They connected her to Safe Families in Chicago, who then connected her to us. We are grateful that God brought her to us through this unexpected chain of support. When we learned about her challenges, we assured her that we would walk alongside her. Joslyn was open about her battle with depression, but she consistently expressed her faith, saying she knew God was with her. Although she lived outside of our normal service area, Joslyn was willing to relocate, recognizing the need to build a new support system. 

Our staff reached out to one of our host families, the Olsons, and arranged a meeting. The plan was to provide short term hosting for Joslyn’s daughter while Joslyn searched for employment, caught up on bills, and worked toward stability. Just as this plan was taking shape, Joslyn’s landlord informed her that she was being evicted and offered her the option to vacate immediately to avoid legal action. 

Later that same week, the Olsons and Jenny, our intake coordinator, drove to Joslyn’s home, helped pack her belongings, and brought her to a temporary place to stay, while her daughter was welcomed into the Olsons’ home. Throughout the hosting, the Olsons’ goal was to give Joslyn the mental space she needed to process her stress and prepare for what lay ahead. With their support, Joslyn took initiative in her job and housing search, making the most of this window of stability to establish what her family needed. When the hosting extended beyond the original end date, the Olsons prayerfully chose to continue investing in Joslyn and her daughter, engaging in sacrificial giving and meaningful conversations with their own children about loving like Jesus.

Though there were setbacks along the way, by early December, through the support of the Olsons and Karen, a Family Friend volunteer, Joselyn secured employment in her new city, moved into her own apartment, and arranged daycare for her daughter.

Today, Joslyn is continuing to build a strong support system in her new community, thanks to the incredible volunteers who surrounded her with care, encouragement, and practical help. With their support, she found the stability she needed to begin creating a brighter future for herself and her daughter. We give glory to God for moving these mountains and allowing us to play a part in His plan for her life!

Stephanie was referred to us by Samaritas after she learned that her husband’s past criminal conduct prevented him from being with her four children, three boys from her first marriage (Chance, Aiden, and Dominic) and her newborn daughter, Aurora, without supervision. The news left Stephanie feeling isolated and overwhelmed as she tried to navigate an already challenging season of life.

Aurora, born in 2024 with Down Syndrome, required frequent medical appointments. Chance, her middle son, has Autism and participates in multiple therapies and support programs. At the same time, Stephanie unexpectedly became responsible for caring for her father. Stephanie  suddenly found herself having to manage housing changes, transportation, school schedules, therapy sessions, and medical care all on her own.

During this crisis, Stephanie was connected to Samaritas, who helped her establish boundaries with her husband and guided her through the CPS process. When the 90‑day Samaritas case had to be closed, Laura Warren, a Family Preservation Worker at Samaritas (who is now on our team as our very own Volunteer Coordinator!), referred Stephanie to Safe Families so that she could receive ongoing relational and practical support.

Safe Families matched Stephanie with her first Family Friend, Nathalia Wiemers from North Pines Church. Nathalia provided baby items, toys, Thanksgiving dinner, and, just as importantly, friendship. When Nathalia had to step back from volunteering, we connected Stephanie with another Family Friend, Karen Farthing from New Life Church. Karen checks in weekly, always asks about ongoing needs, and recently coordinated with her church to replace the brakes on Stephanie’s car. New Life Church’s generosity ensured Stephanie could safely transport her children and keep up with Aurora’s many appointments.

When asked how Safe Families has impacted her life, Stephanie shared:“Safe Families has been there when I needed extra help to get my family through some tough times. I would recommend them to anyone who needs a lending hand, even if it’s just someone to listen.”

We’re grateful God brought Stephanie to us and for the beautiful ways the family of God is continuing to surround her during this challenging season.

Before our first hosting, we met three kids, their mother, and the Safe Families team member at a local park. After getting to know each other and making a plan, we began our placement.

The kids were six, seven, and eight years old. The hosting was originally for two weeks, but lasted for five weeks. It was exactly what you would expect with five kids living in your house; it was chaotic, busy, and loud. But it was also filled with laughter, joy, and peace.

These kids were amazing and they bonded so quickly with our kids. They fiercely prayed for their mom, for each other, and for us. They quickly began to call our church home.

Our house was stretched and strained in different ways at times, but we grew from the experience. God showed us more of who He is and who we are as individuals and as a family.

Through this experience, we learned how to face the challenge, take the next step, and trust.

David and Karson Anderson