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One Less Heartache

One Less Heartache

By Abigail Austin

“These families cared for my kids as if they were their own,” Sandra says as she remembers her experience with Safe Families.

Last summer as she was preparing for surgery, she found herself needing someone to care for her four children during her hospital stay and recovery time. Through Safe Families, Sandra was connected with Paul and Lynn Veldhouse who added her two boys to their five kids for the week and then added Sandra’s girls for the weekend.

“It was one less heartache and one less stress not having to wonder how my kids were doing or how they were being treated. The Veldhouse family took my kids camping and gave them experiences that I never could have given them. It was very safe and accepting.”

“The Veldhouses developed a relationship that had a very positive impact on my kids,” Sandra remembers.

It’s been a year since the kids were hosted, and the two families still stay in touch and regularly spend time together.

“They’ve become friends, playmates, and mentors,” said Sandra. “It made me feel blessed to have had that resource that I could go to for help.