Better Together honors Sarasota volunteers, supporters at 2026 Doing Good Together reception
Better Together, a nonprofit on a mission to build strong families and communities, recently honored its Sarasota volunteers, supporters and community partners who have made a significant impact on the organization and its mission.
As a privately funded, volunteer-driven nonprofit, Better Together relies on the support of donors, churches, community partners and volunteers to provide its services to families across the state. Each year, Better Together hosts a Doing Good Together reception in each of its six regions to thank these individuals and organizations. At the event, several volunteers and partners are honored with The DOie Awards, as in DOing good together.
Better Together recognized several honorees during the reception held April 16 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing in Sarasota. Honorees include:
Church Partner of the Year was presented to Grace Community Church. Erin Brost, the staff at Grace Community Church and the congregation continually show up for families with love and support.
Community Partner of the Year was presented to Beds for Kids. Many of the children Better Together serves have a soft place to sleep thanks to Beds for Kids and the generosity of Mark and Brenda Coates, Todd and Kari Shear and their team and supporters.
Department of Children and Families Partner of the Year was presented to Trish Amblo. In addition to referring families to Better Together programs, she gives parents support and encouragement, walking alongside them in a moment that can feel overwhelming.
Host Family of the Year was presented to Anne and Luke Stockeland. The couple have hosted 10 children, and they welcome each with compassion, dignity and care. Their commitment is so deep, one mom asked them to be her son’s godparents.
Mentor of the Year was presented to Darrell Cummings. He builds meaningful relationships with the men he has mentored, guiding them toward growth, strength and purpose.
Staff Appreciation Award was presented to Amanda Warner. She doesn’t just serve families; she builds lasting, trusting relationships with them. Her work is always meaningful, intentional and built in genuine care.
Super Volunteer of the Year was presented to Carrie Jeffcoat. She walks alongside families without judgement and with unwavering support. She welcomes them with open arms, mentors, delivers car seats and cares for children in her home.
This year’s event was generously hosted and sponsored by Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
“Our Better Together team truly appreciates the donors, volunteers, partners and advocates who step up to support our mission,” said Megan Rose, CEO of Better Together. “Because of their dedication, we’re able to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives and strengthen our community. It was a privilege to celebrate their generosity and unwavering commitment this year.”
Better Together works to prevent the need for foster care by building strong families and communities. When a parent needs support – due to homelessness, a medical emergency, or other crisis – Better Together volunteer host families provide a safe, loving home for the children short term, while staff and mentors empower the parents to secure employment, housing and other needs. Because job loss is at the root of most family crises, the Better Together workforce program provides opportunities for all job seekers through relational job fairs and volunteer job coaches.
To date, Better Together has served more than 37,000 children, and 98% of children served through mentoring and hosting remain out of foster care. The nonprofit has also connected more than 50,000 job seekers to employment opportunities through church-based job fairs across 25 states.
Better Together is always seeking additional volunteers and community partners to join its efforts to build stronger families. To learn more about how to become a donor, partner or volunteer, visit BetterTogetherUS.org.
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 find the resources and community they need to thrive. To date, the program has kept 98% of children served through hosting and mentoring 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.
