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:
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.
