ABOUT TOGETHER FOR GOOD
We provide a network of care
to support families who are in crisis.
We Connect Those Who Need Help With Those Who Can Help
Founded in 2017, Together for Good connects volunteers from local churches with isolated parents and vulnerable children.
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At TFG, we provide wrap-around, relational care that helps to stabilize families, so that they can move beyond a crisis. There are four primary ways that our volunteers serve: hosting children during a crisis (hostings range from one day to one year); hosting children for shorter periods (typically a weekend), so that parents are able to experience respite relief; building relationships with parents through parent advocacy; and meeting the practical needs of parents, such as meals.
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TFG has four locations in three states and a team of professional staff that trains volunteers in culturally-competent, trauma-informed caregiving, and manage each case.
SERVE WITH A LOCATION NEAR YOU
What Drives Us
DO GOOD
We want to help followers of Jesus live out Isaiah 1:17, "Learn to do good; seek justice; correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."
LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR
God calls us to defend, visit, and care for widows and orphans – to love those who are isolated, without family or community. We believe Christians are called to walk with the hurting and the rejected – those who are in distress.
MOBILIZE THE CHURCH
We want to reignite the vision and purpose of the early Church by providing an opportunity for the Church to love our neighbors.
What We Know
We know that there are government systems in place to protect children when harm or neglect occurs – and these systems are important. However, we want to mobilize the Church to help struggling families before a crisis of abuse or neglect – this concept is called "up-stream intervention." We do this through working within a continuum of care model, prioritizing building relationships, protecting children, and preserving the family. Research shows that intentional intervention "up-stream" prevents harm to children and prevents family separation.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TFG MODEL
Our Board
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Maridel Sandberg
Founder & President
With over 32 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, Maridel has devoted her career to family preservation, adoption advocacy, and strengthening community-based responses to family crisis. She is a founding member of the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), a national coalition committed to inspiring and equipping the Church to care for orphans and vulnerable children. Maridel has been instrumental in advancing faith-based solutions to child welfare challenges on both local and national levels. Maridel attended Northwestern University and has continued her education through decades of hands-on leadership, organizational development, and training in trauma-informed care and community mobilization. Her personal journey as a mother of eight – three biological and five adopted through the loving decisions of birth mothers – fuels her passion for standing alongside parents who choose to raise their children but lack the support systems they need to succeed. Under Maridel’s leadership, TFG has become a trusted partner in reducing child welfare involvement and promoting family stability. She leads with humility, vision, and a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to work together – for the good of children, the good of families, and the good of our communities.
Cindy Engleking
Secretary
Cindy graduated with a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and a Masters in Health Care Administration (MHA) from the University of Minnesota. She is married to her husband, Jeff, and has four children – the oldest 3 are married and our youngest is in middle school. She left her healthcare strategic planning and operations consulting career when her second child was born to stay home with her children. The Engelking's have been a Together for Good host family, foster family, and adoptive family. Cindy and her family attend and are deeply involved with Grace Church, Eden Prairie.
Nicky Brown
Chair
Nicky is the Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs at HealthEquity. She possesses over 20 years of experience in flexible benefits, compliance, consulting, and management. Ms. Brown is committed to aiding Americans in achieving health and financial security. Nicky holds several advanced certifications in flexible compensation, benefits, and compliance and attended the University of Tulsa. She routinely teaches and speaks on these subjects, sharing her extensive knowledge and expertise with others in the industry.
Darin Hunhoff
Director
Darin was drawn to joining the board of Together for Good (TFG) for several reasons. First is the difference TFG makes in families' lives, both those in crisis and those playing a role (host families and other volunteers), rooted in Christian values and connections with local churches. Second was the opportunity to be part of a growing organization. Darin has learned over the years that he enjoys being a part of – and playing some role in – an organization or team reaching new levels of growth and impact. Third is the people he has met, leaders like Maridel Sandberg and Jonathan Bagen, current board members, and some volunteers engaged with Together for Good. The more people he met and talked with, the more he was led to join the journey with Together for Good.
Linda Rukavina
Treasurer
Linda brings a unique blend of business expertise, coaching insight, and heartfelt compassion to the board. Linda holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Economics from the University of Minnesota Duluth and a Master’s in Corporate Finance and Consulting from the Carlson School of Management. In recent years, Linda became a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach with a specialty in diabetes care, continuing her mission to support others in practical and life-changing ways.
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Stan Hamann
Director
Stan retired from the insurance industry after 46 years at the end of 2023. His career journey began as a sales consultant working with businesses of all sizes specializing in Employee Benefits. He was very fortunate to be offered leadership opportunities with a company that went through multiple mergers, resulting in a global company: Sedgwick. He moved to Minnesota in 1993 to lead the Minneapolis team. In addition to his leadership roles, he was very active in finding and acquiring independent insurance agencies and integrating them into the overall culture. Prior to joining TFG's board, he served on the Boards of Kenya Children’s Fund and the St. Paul Public School Foundation, Boise Chamber of Commerce, Idaho Chapter of the American Cancer Society and Idaho Health Underwriters Association. Additionally, he led membership and capital campaigns for the Boise Chamber, was the Campaign Chair for Boise United Way, and was a member of a capital campaign team for Hosanna church in Minnesota.
