JOY STORIES: Late 2025 — Mentors support families, celebrate accomplishments

Read these brief stories of progress and hope from families in the FamilyForward program as of late 2025.

Prioritizing self-care and care for family

Stock photo

When Mom K joined the FamilyForward program, she knew she needed new glasses. Between having no time in her schedule and a change in her insurance coverage, Mom K had not been to the eye doctor in several years. Her FamilyForward volunteer mentors kept the eye doctor on her to-do list. They gave her regular reminders. FF staff provided the names of two local eye doctors who accept her insurance. Very soon after that, Mom K went to the eye doctor and got new glasses!

Mom and Dad P suspected their toddler daughter had a speech delay. The FamilyForward case manager connected them to some resources for early childhood intervention and accompanied them through the application and evaluation process. After only a few weeks of speech therapy, Daughter P said her first word. Mom and Dad P are delighted with the progress she is making.

Celebrating new skills, career advancement

Mom S joined her local chapter of Toastmasters. She knows that if she wants to advance her career with her current employer, she needs to get more comfortable giving presentations. Congratulations to Mom S for having the courage to step outside her comfort zone and work on her public speaking skills!

After seven months of searching and applying, Mom H finally got a higher paying job! Her income increased by more than $3 per hour, and the new position guarantees full-time hours every week. Now, for the first time since she can remember, Mom H is not behind on any of her bills.

Mentors: Providing invaluable help to support families

These stories illustrate some of the many ways the FamilyForward program challenges and encourages parents and supports families as they seek to improve their circumstances and create stable households. Mentors are key to this support.