Episode Details

In this episode, Jeff welcomes Meghan Macy, COO of Alongside Families, and Mary Kay Portaro, board member and former staff volunteer, to share the story behind this Charlotte-based nonprofit. 

Founded in 2017 by Emily Kemmann, Alongside Families works to prevent unnecessary foster care placements by providing temporary child hosting and wraparound support for families in crisis — with a track record of 100% family reunification across 350 child hostings and nearly 5,000 nights of care.

Meghan and Mary Kay walk through the real-life situations the organization steps into — from single moms facing medical emergencies to families experiencing homelessness — and explain how anyone in the Lake Norman area can get involved, whether by hosting, volunteering, championing through financial support, or connecting their church as a partner. 

To learn more or attend a free online interest meeting, visit alongsidefamilies.org.

Special thanks to:

Mary Kay Portaro
Ivester Jackson | Christie’s Real Estate
https://marykayportaro.com/

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