Reunification for Dominique and Her Five Kids

When Dominique first connected with the 100 Families Initiative in Craighead County, her family was in crisis.

She had gone for months without electricity, had been evicted from public housing, and was struggling to provide for her five children. Basic necessities like food, stable housing, and transportation were daily challenges. At the same time, her children had entered foster care, and she was facing the overwhelming task of rebuilding her life while working toward reunification.

Despite the difficult circumstances, Dominique never gave up on her family. She remained committed to doing whatever was necessary to create a safe, stable home for her children. From the beginning, she embraced the support offered through the 100 Families Initiative and actively participated in developing a plan to address both her immediate needs and her long-term goals.

Together with her family advocate, Dominique identified the most urgent priorities: securing stable housing, meeting her family's basic needs, gaining reliable employment, and successfully completing the requirements necessary to reunify with her children.

Through the collaborative support of her care team, including her family advocate, DCFS caseworkers, Together We Foster, Human Services, and other community partners, she received assistance with food, hygiene products, clothing, furniture, six beds for her children, monthly bus passes, application assistance, advocacy, and connections to critical community resources.

As Dominique's immediate needs were met, she was able to focus on building lasting stability. She secured independent housing, found and maintained full-time employment, and gradually gained financial security. Over time, she not only became food secure but also began building savings for her family's future while maintaining the stability she had worked so hard to achieve.

Every child welfare case involving her family was successfully closed, and all five of her children were reunified with her. For Dominique, reunification marked the beginning of a new chapter built on stability, hope, and opportunity.

Today, Dominique is thriving.

She maintains stable housing, continues working full-time, and has created a safe, nurturing home where her children can flourish. Those who have walked alongside her describe her as a completely different person than when they first met her. The uncertainty and crisis that once defined her life have been replaced with confidence, independence, and optimism for the future.