The Safest She Ever Felt
One of the beautiful things about family preservation ministry is that New Mercies is not doing this work alone. Across Indiana and neighboring states, sister ministries are also serving vulnerable families, helping parents move from crisis toward stability and community. One of those organizations is My Village Ministries in Ohio.
Recently, their team shared a story about Nia* that blew us away. You might recognize Nia's name since we shared a bit of her journey recently. But we wanted to give you the full story so you can see the amazing ways God has worked in her life.
Second Hosting
When Community Coach Lead Ali Watson first connected with Nia through My Village Ministries, she had already heard that Nia was remarkably resilient. As a young mother raising her daughter, Nia was focused on finishing high school, finding stable housing, and creating a secure future for her little family despite significant challenges.
As Ali explained the support My Village Ministries could offer, she began describing hosting arrangements and how they worked. Then Nia stopped her. "I know what hosting is," she said. "I've been hosted before."
Years earlier, Nia had been hosted through New Mercies Ministries by Mae and Zach, one of our Host Families. Then she shared something about her time being hosted as a little girl that blew Ali away: "That's the safest I've ever felt in my life."
Nia still remembered the safety she experienced in Mae and Zach's home even though years had passed. More than that, those memories are still shaping how she approaches relationships with supportive adults.
A Deep Connection
Wanting to learn more, Ali contacted New Mercies and spoke with Mae, Nia's Host Mom. Before ending the conversation, Mae told Ali, "If Nia called me today and said, 'Miss Mae, can I live with you?' I would say yes."
That simple statement captures the heart of hosting. While the arrangement itself may be temporary, the relationships often are not. Ali believes Nia's previous experience with New Mercies helped create a foundation of trust that benefited her years later through My Village Ministries. She already knew she was important to the ministry, and her voice was going to matter.
Because Nia had experienced that felt safety as a child, she entered this new season of support with a level of trust that many parents understandably need time to develop. New Mercies had laid a foundation that My Village Ministries now had the opportunity to build on.
The Continuing Story
Today, Nia continues working toward her goals while raising her little girl. Her story is a beautiful reminder that family preservation is often a long journey, and God uses many people along the way.
A Host Family in Indiana, a ministry in Ohio, and a teen mom became part of one story of hope. For every Host Family who has wondered whether their care for a child overnight or for a few weeks matters, Nia's story offers a powerful answer. Children may not remember every detail, but they will remember how they felt. The safety Nia experienced through hosting stayed with her long after the arrangement ended, and God continues to use those memories today.
As Ali reflected on Nia's journey, she put it simply: "God wastes nothing."