Them Before Us Podcast - Episode #85: "Keeping Kids with Mom - Together for Good"

Release Date: July 18, 2025
Host: Jennifer Friesen
Guest: Meridell Sandberg, Founder and President of Together for Good

Introduction

In episode #85 of the Them Before Us Podcast, host Jennifer Friesen interviews Meridell Sandberg, the founder and president of Together for Good. This organization focuses on pro-life and pro-family initiatives, aiming to support families and children at every stage, beyond just the issues of abortion and pregnancy. The conversation delves into the organization’s mission, the challenges faced by vulnerable families, and the practical solutions Together for Good provides to uphold children's rights and family stability.

Meridell’s Background and the Founding of Together for Good

Meridell Sandberg shares her personal journey and the inspiration behind founding Together for Good.

“I'm a small town girl from northern Minnesota, oldest of four children. We, my husband and I live in Minneapolis. We birthed three kids, then we adopted five different times... Each adoption brought a different story of a woman in crisis.”
— Meridell Sandberg (00:01:03)

Growing up as the eldest of four, Meridell and her husband adopted five children, often transracially, which introduced diverse challenges and perspectives. These experiences underscored the importance of family support, leading Meridell to envision a system where mothers in crisis receive the necessary assistance to prevent situations that might lead to adoption or foster care.

Focusing Upstream to Prevent Foster Care

Meridell emphasizes the importance of addressing family crises before they escalate to the point of needing foster care or adoption.

“What if we were to step in and offer to help before the government was involved, before there was the threat of losing your child?”
— Meridell Sandberg (00:02:57)

Together for Good seeks to intervene early by providing support directly to families, ensuring that mothers retain their parental rights while receiving the help they need. This proactive approach contrasts with the reactive nature of government-run foster care systems, aiming to create more stable and supportive environments for both parents and children.

Identifying and Addressing Crisis Situations

The organization handles various types of crises, each requiring tailored support systems:

1. Medical and Emergency Situations:

   “Many times their first response is, I have no one else... There’s a crisis at the hospital and no one to take children while mom deals with mental health and or labor and delivery or emergency surgery.”
   — Meridell Sandberg (00:05:26)

2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health:

   “I'm struggling with drug addiction, but I don't want to tell anybody because I'm worried someone will take my kids.”
   — Meridell Sandberg (00:05:26)

3. Support for New Mothers:

   “Many of those moms are just becoming mothers and have the opportunity to have a family-like advocate and then hosting for their child should they need it.”
   — Meridell Sandberg (00:05:26)

4. Homelessness and Financial Crises: The podcast highlights stories like a woman who became homeless after her parents died and was laid off, emphasizing the fragility of many family situations.

5. Domestic Abuse and Incarceration:

   “We serve moms that are in prison... our volunteers are committed to visiting moms in prison while visiting with their children.”
   — Meridell Sandberg (00:07:21)

Engaging Churches and Building Community Support

Meridell discusses the pivotal role of local churches in mobilizing support and fostering a community-centric approach.

“Many, many people were dying to have an opportunity. They literally just didn't know how.”
— Meridell Sandberg (00:11:41)

Together for Good partners with churches, providing a structured and supportive environment for volunteers. This collaboration ensures that families receive not only practical help but also emotional and spiritual support, creating a holistic support system for those in need.

Practical Implementation: Crisis Hosting and Respite Care

The organization offers several services to support families:

1. Emergency Crisis Hosting: Temporary care solutions for children while parents handle urgent situations.

2. Respite Care: Ongoing support where volunteers host children periodically to give parents much-needed breaks.

3. Wraparound Care: Comprehensive support that includes ensuring children receive new shoes for Christmas or invitations to church events, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

“We want the opportunity for them to experience a new kind of family in the family of God having that church relationship.”
— Meridell Sandberg (00:16:40)

These programs aim to alleviate immediate pressures on families while building long-term support networks, ensuring both children and parents thrive.

Addressing Oversight and Integration with Government Systems

Meridell addresses potential concerns regarding oversight and the organization’s relationship with government systems.

“It mirrors very much the foster care process of becoming a foster parent. Background checks, home assessment, interviews, references and training.”
— Meridell Sandberg (00:19:03)

Together for Good ensures that all volunteers undergo rigorous screening processes similar to those required for foster parents. This commitment guarantees the safety and well-being of children while maintaining a separate, non-governmental support system that can handle cases falling through governmental cracks.

Expanding the Mission: Future Plans and Involvement

Meridell outlines the organization’s expansion plans and ways for listeners to get involved.

“We are getting calls from all over the country of churches saying, please come help us love our neighbor... we'd love to spread our model throughout the communities of anyone who wants to do different things in their neighborhood.”
— Meridell Sandberg (00:21:48)

Listeners interested in supporting Together for Good can visit togetherforgood.org to learn more about volunteering opportunities, partnerships, and ways to contribute financially to sustain and expand their vital work.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with heartfelt acknowledgments of the impactful work Together for Good is performing and the essential role of community and church support in sustaining these efforts.

“One child at a time. For the good of the child, the good of the family, and ultimately the good of our communities. Amen.”
— Meridell Sandberg (00:22:49)

Key Takeaways:

• Proactive Support: Together for Good emphasizes intervening early in family crises to prevent the need for foster care or adoption.
• Community and Faith-Based Approach: Partnering with local churches to build a supportive network for vulnerable families.
• Comprehensive Services: Offering emergency crisis hosting, respite care, and wraparound support to address various family needs.
• Safety and Oversight: Implementing rigorous volunteer screening processes to ensure child safety and trustworthiness.
• Expansion and Involvement: Seeking to grow the organization’s reach across the United States and inviting community participation.

Notable Quotes:

• Meridell Sandberg (00:02:57): “What if we were to step in and offer to help before the government was involved, before there was the threat of losing your child?”
• Meridell Sandberg (00:05:26): “I'm struggling with drug addiction, but I don't want to tell anybody because I'm worried someone will take my kids.”
• Meridell Sandberg (00:11:41): “Many, many people were dying to have an opportunity. They literally just didn't know how.”
• Meridell Sandberg (00:16:40): “We want the opportunity for them to experience a new kind of family in the family of God having that church relationship.”
• Meridell Sandberg (00:19:03): “It mirrors very much the foster care process of becoming a foster parent. Background checks, home assessment, interviews, references and training.”
• Meridell Sandberg (00:21:48): “We are getting calls from all over the country of churches saying, please come help us love our neighbor...”
• Meridell Sandberg (00:22:49): “One child at a time. For the good of the child, the good of the family, and ultimately the good of our communities. Amen.”

Connect with Together for Good:

• Website: togetherforgood.org
• Email: found@tfgood.org

Join Together for Good in their mission to support and uplift families, ensuring that every child can thrive in a loving and stable environment.