Better Together launches with $3 million pledge from Carroll Distributing Co.

Better Together, a nonprofit dedicated to families and children, has expanded to the Space and Treasure Coasts. To support the nonprofit’s programs in the Space Coast region, local distributor Carroll Distributing Co. has pledged $3 million to Better Together over the next three years.

The donation was announced during the nonprofit’s launch celebration, held Aug. 17 at Carroll Distributing’s location in Melbourne. The event brought together local leaders and community supporters for celebratory activities and a ribbon cutting ceremony, providing the community an opportunity to learn more about the organization and how to get involved.

“We are beyond grateful for the faith and confidence Carroll Distributing Co. has in Better Together and our mission. Having the opportunity to expand into the Space Coast is all thanks to our wonderful group of business and church partners, and the community as a whole,” said Megan Rose, CEO of Better Together. “This pledge will help us strengthen relationships and change the lives of families in the community for years to come.”

Better Together is a nonprofit that helps parents who are going through a challenging time to keep their kids out of foster care, find work and address the root causes of their struggle so that they can reunite as a family with the tools and support system to thrive. Established in Southwest Florida just over five years ago, the nonprofit’s programming has rapidly expanded to reach families in 21 counties across the state. To date, the program has served over 5,900 children and kept 98% of families together, while helping nearly 39,000 job seekers across 22 states find employment.

“We feel so incredibly privileged to collaborate with Better Together in backing such a commendable cause here in our county,” said Justin Saenz, vice president of sales for Carroll Distributing. “Their team is second to none, and Carroll Distributing holds firm belief in both the quality of their efforts and the positive influence they will bring to Brevard.”

The organization will begin serving families this month in the Central East Florida area, which spans the Space and Treasure Coasts, specifically those in Brevard, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties. In any given month, based on state data from the past year, these counties have more than 1,200 children in out-of-home care, a designation that largely includes foster care and group homes.
With the help of hundreds of volunteers and church communities, Better Together builds lasting support systems that help families cope with hardships – such as job loss, substance abuse, homelessness and jail time – and ensures that children are cared for in a safe home until the family can be reunited.
To learn more about Better Together, its programs and how to get involved, visit BetterTogetherUS.org. Churches interested in becoming a Better Together partner are encouraged to email Isis@BetterTogetherUS.org for more information.

About Better Together
Better Together is a nonprofit organization that helps parents going through a hard time keep their kids out of foster care, find work and address the root causes of their struggle so that they can reunite as a family with the tools and support system to thrive. A privately funded and professionally supported organization, Better Together is made up of volunteers who believe helping people help themselves is the best way to restore dignity and bring families together. Through the Better Families program, families are offered a preventive alternative to foster care while they get the help they need. To date, the program has kept 98% of children served out of foster care. The Better Jobs program was created to address the 76% of families that come to Better Together because of economic hardship tied to unemployment. In addition to community job fairs, the program offers job seekers coaching, guidance, support and encouragement through local church partners. For more information, visit BetterTogetherUS.org.

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