Better Together honors community partners

The Better Together Host Family of the Year Award was presented to the Marciano family. Shown from left are Angelee Burks with her three boys, Danielle Marciano and her daughter and CEO Megan Rose. [Photo courtesy Better Together]

Better Together, a nonprofit dedicated to families and children, recently honored Marion County community partners who have made a significant impact on the organization and its mission. The reception was held May 2 at Church at The Springs.

Honorees included:

• Host Family of the Year: Danielle and Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano. The Marciano family is a wonderful host family and Angelee, whose children were hosted by the family, says they represent the phrase “be the change you want to see.”
• Church Partner of the Year: Breadbreakers Church for being a Better Families and Better Jobs partner. The church recently completed its second Nationwide Days of Second Chances job fair, which served more than 100 people.
• Doug Campbell Generosity Award: Mariner Finance
• Champion for Strong Families: Stan McClain
• Community Partner of the Year: Project Hope
• Department of Children and Families Partner of the Year: Lynette Sardinas
• Mentor of the Year: Jorge Peraza
• Super Volunteer of the Year: Telisha Page
• Staff Appreciation Award: Cassidy Vaughn

Better Together helps parents who are going through a hard time keep their children out of foster care, find work and address the root causes of their struggle so they can reunite as a family with the tools and support system to thrive. The program has served more than 9,000 children and kept 98% of families together, while helping 42,000 job seekers across 22 states find employment, according to the news release.

“Our Better Together team is so grateful for the donors, volunteers, partners and advocates who support us in fulfilling our mission of helping families overcome crisis,” said Megan Rose, CEO of Better Together, in the release. “These groups and individuals are the reason we are able to change lives and help our community flourish. It was an honor to recognize them for their generosity and unwavering support this year.”

To learn more, go to bettertogetherus.org

The Mentor of the Year Award was presented to Jorge Peraza, third from left, shown with Better Together CEO Megan Rose, Leilanie Peraza and Kayla Palacios. [Photo courtesy Better Together]