Warm winter clothing for my children and work clothes to help me find employment

About Lisa

My current situation is that I'm unemployed. I recently got released from treatment for substance abuse. I've been clean and sober for 18 months. I'm a single mother, and my children even lived with… Read more

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Lisa and Alexis share their gratitude Nov 15, 2012

Hi. I would just like to say thank you to everybody who participated in getting me and my children situated in winter clothing. I really appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. I'm happy and I'm excited. Thank you so much for your generosity. Thank you and God bless. 

Hi. I just want to thank everyone who contributed to help Lisa meet her need at Benevolent. I was so excited when I saw her need had been met in less than 24 hours, but as excited as I was it could not possibly compare to how excited Lisa was when I told her. She literally screamed when she found out. I think she has just been radiating joy ever since then. She has a giant smile - that's because of the generosity of everyone who contributed. Thank you so much. She's very deserving, her children are wonderful, she's an inredible mother, and you helped make a big difference in their lives with the tangible items their going to be able to buy. But also in her outlook and belief that they're people out there who care. So, thank you.

My need

I need clothes to start my career and employment. I also need clothes for my kids for winter. This includes suits for me for work. This also includes boots and jackets for the kids. My one daughter wears 4T in clothing and 8 in shoes. My other daughter wears 5/6x in clothing and size 11 in shoes. We are starting over with basically nothing, so they could really use some warm clothing.

Meeting this need will help me because I would feel proud that my kids would have what they need. They will be warm for the winter. To see them wear something warm and fits them will just mean a lot to me.

The work clothes for me will help me to look fresh and clean when I go looking for a job. I could really use nice slacks and blouses so that I look good for work. The other day I had court to protect my children, and I had to borrow shoes just to go.

My situation

Right now my biggest challenge is one of the girls has to go to school. She might not wear the warmest clothing, because I just don't have it. I am worried that she might get teased or she might look out of place. She tells me sometimes the clothes are too little, but it is also all I have. She even tells me when things don't match, but we just don't have a choice. 

Meeting this need will help me achieve future goals because I'd be able to go looking for a job. I'd be able to feel better - to boost my self-esteem. After all I have been through, that would mean so much. Appearances means so much when you are going job hunting. I never feel cute, and I want to try. For the girls, it will help us to be a happier family. They will be warm and safe. 

By next year I think I will be in a better place. I'm clean and sober now and learning new job skills every day. This would help me because I am just starting over right now. 

This is a huge important thing to me in life - for employers and for myself. For my children to wear decent clothes. Thank you for helping us get a fresh start.

About Alexis

My job title is Pro Bono and Staff Attorney. I have been in this position since April of 2012. My work involves helping incarcerated mothers, formerly incarcerated mothers, and the caretakers of their children. What I like about my job is I get to see families brought together. In the future, I… Read more

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I have known Lisa for several months. I first met her when she attended a class I was teaching. I was immediately impressed with her dedication to improving herself and caring for her children. She is very kind and humble, and she is so committed to making a good life for herself and her two girls. 

I think meeting Lisa's need is important because this is a family that is at a turning point. Being sober for 18 months, this is Lisa's first apartment after leaving the center where she was living. Also, because of the abuse she and her children have suffered, they have few places to safely turn for support. These clothes will help her to get a job and her children to be warm and well dressed. 

This will move Lisa's life forward by helping her to find employment and to make her feel like she is a good mother.

Lisa is incredibly strong and intelligent. She has overcome a lot of obstacles that might have made another person give up, but she perservered and keeps fighting. 

Thank you for helping her restart her life.