Reunification Through Relationship

New Mercies seeks to connect vulnerable moms and their families with a network of support, starting with a Host Family. Beyond just one arrangement, we encourage Host Families to do life with parents in an organic way. This allows a community to be there for vulnerable families consistently, leading to positive outcomes that only come through relationships.

This is exactly what happened when the McClish family hosted a newborn last year and had the chance to step into the life of a mom who we will call Allie. At first, the McClishes had some challenges due to Allie being inflexible. Later, Mae (the Host Mom) volunteered to take Allie to work and care for the child during her shift so she could earn extra money toward her goal of getting an apartment. Through that, Mae began to build the relationship with Allie, though she felt she wasn't making significant progress in helping outside of caring for the child.

Allie eventually moved into her own apartment with her newborn baby, hoping to pursue custody of her other children. Mae, through her vast church and support community, was able to help Allie furnish the apartment. Allie was grateful!

Only three weeks after getting the apartment, however, Allie had a difficult relapse, and DCS had to remove her baby. She was crushed. Although she had broken the rules of her arrangement with the housing authority, by God's grace she was able to stay in her apartment and keep her things, essentially getting a second chance.

A few weeks after that, Allie texted Mae asking where the McClishes go to church, and asking if she could come. She began faithfully attending church which all started with the McClish’s willingness to stay in contact with her.

When the time came, Allie asked Mae if she could attend a custody hearing. She rightfully had a good amount of anxiety before the hearing, but Mae was able to sit and pray with her before it began. Walking into the hearing, Allie told the lawyer and clerk that Mae was her "church mom.” Allie wrote a letter to the court about how she knew she had made many mistakes but had been working hard on her sobriety. She talked about giving her life to Christ and going regularly to church after that. The judge agreed to reunite her family!

When we recently caught up with the McClishes, they gave us more good news about this family. Mae told us that Allie not only regained custody of her baby but also has since regained custody of her other children. She had her 7th baby this summer and lives in a beautiful apartment. While they are still working through some of life's challenges, they are doing well overall!

What a beautiful story of reunification that became possible in part due to extended, family-like relationships. And what an amazing representation of the Good News of Jesus and how He reconciles us to the Father and makes it possible for us to enjoy renewed relationship with Him. To God be the glory!!