United Way of Greater St. Louis’s United for Families (UFF) program supports families facing crisis by addressing the gaps that threaten their safety, health, and stability. Working through trusted case managers at nonprofit partners across the St. Louis region, UFF connects families to essential resources such as basic needs assistance, stable housing, quality childcare, and financial support. The life‑saving impact of this work became clear when Hoyleton Youth and Family Services encountered a case unlike any they had seen before.
UFF’s care in the midst of a crisis
When *Bethany learned she was expecting her first child, she felt excited about starting a family, but with that joy came the burden of drug addiction and an increasingly abusive partner.
Within months, the physical and psychological abuse escalated and her hopes for a happy family were shattered.
She gave birth to her son and a daughter two years later, and the chaos continued. Drug addiction, her partner’s erratic, controlling behavior, and constant fear made every day feel unsafe. Then came the night when everything changed.
Less than a month after moving into a new house, Bethany’s family had just gone to bed when her house was hit by a drive by shooting. Bethany was struck in the shoulder.
That moment made everything clear – Bethany took her children and escaped her environment.
“I was scared, I didn’t know how I would support my kids, but I knew I had to leave,” said Bethany.
Not knowing what to do or where to go, a social worker she met a few years prior offered her the opportunity to temporarily live with her. This gave Bethany the space to get sober, provide a safe environment for her and her children, and figure out how she could secure a better, brighter future for them.
She discovered Hoyleton Youth and Family Services. After evaluating her situation, they knew United for Families would be the perfect program that would provide her with the holistic help she needed.
“We provided Bethany with resources for a local support group for domestic violence survivors, and United for Families also assisted her with other miscellaneous expenses that she needed,” said Marjorie Montgomery, Case Worker for Hoyleton Youth and Family Services.
UFF helped Bethany find stable housing, rent and utility assistance, counseling services for her children, and enroll in a rehabilitation program as well as a UFF employment workshop. Bethany’s transformation was a grueling process marked by setbacks and relapses, but she never gave up.
“I received a lot of help and guidance from Hoyleton and during this process I kept thinking of my kids and how I wanted to do better for them,” said Bethany. “Whenever I felt like I couldn’t do it, or I had no strength, the hope of giving them a better life kept me going.”
Bethany’s determination, the help of Hoyleton, and UFF moved her family from crisis to stability. She is completely sober, has a full-time job, and continues to move beyond her past.
Her children are also thriving, earning better grades, and made their school’s honor roll.
Bethany’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and how important UFF is to families, local nonprofits and our St. Louis region as a whole.
“Our mission is to help local families, and United Way and their United for Families program helps us and makes such a difference in people’s lives,” said Marjorie. “For example, with Bethany’s case, when you are in a dark hole like she was, and you try to pay your bills, take care of your kids, and take care of yourself, sometimes you can feel like there is no way out. This program comes to the rescue; this gives us a means to offer support and meet people where they are.”
“I knew my family and I could always rely on Hoyleton, without them, a lot of the progress I made wouldn’t have been possible,” said Bethany. “When I’m struggling, I know I can always rely on them. They’re great, I consider them to be a part of my family.”
*Name changed for privacy
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- Learn more about how United for Families is a beacon of hope for families in need.
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