Updates
Emily's children are excited for their new school supplies Sep 28, 2012
Thank you so much for helping out with my kids school supplies - they're going to love it. The were already excited when I told them their stuff is coming. It's been a big help - so thank you so much.
Alexis Mansfield - Emily's validator from CLAIM states:
Emily would like everyone to know: Thank you for helping out with the supplies. I appreciate it and my kids appreciate it, too. This will help out with my kids so much. My favorite thing is the electronic dictionary, because she'll be so excited to get it and it was too expensive for me to get on my own. All of the kids are doing really well right now. We are all adjusting to being a family again.
Overview
Meeting this need will help me and my family because we will be able to give our children what they deserve - clean uniforms that fit them, school supplies like other children, and to pay their school fees. This would also help me to save for some of our other needs - like me going back to school to become a hair dresser, buying birthday presents for the kids and starting to make sure we have enough funds to meet our ongoing needs.
I need school uniforms and supplies for my children. This includes uniform pants and shirts, new uniform shoes, gym uniforms, and school supplies (backpacks, pencils, art supplies, book fees, etc.).
Meeting this need will help me achieve future goals because it will take a huge amount of pressure away. This would mean a lot to our family.
THANK YOU!
Right now my biggest challenge is helping to get all of my children settled into one household. We are learning what it is like to live together. It's wonderful, but it is also a lot of work. There are so many expenses as we start our new lives together. These uniforms and supplies would be such a help for us. I know I'll be able to afford things in the future, but for now these items would help us to start off and afford the supplies the kids need at their new school.
I had a few very rough years in my life, but I really changed. I am committed to being the best mother and person I can be. I recently married my husband, and he's learning what it is like to be a father too. The children are just great, so sweet and smart, and eager to be together. We are just trying to make things work. This year has really been a new start for me, and I really appreciate any help you can provide.
I live with my husband and my four children. We are trying to make it a home we can be proud of.
My current situation is that I recently regained custody of all four of my children. They had been living separately with different guardians, but now we are together as one family. It is so great to be together, but it's difficult at times too. One of the hardest things is that we are really starting from zero. I am trying to make ends meet, but with the children being at at new school and all four of them needing supplies, it is hard.
I want to go to school to become a hairdresser. Everyone always compliments my children on their hair, and I want to be able to do it for other people too. I've worked at jobs including: care-taking for my 90 year-old grandfather and in the service industry.
I think of myself mostly as a strong woman and mother. I have overcome a lot and I am trying to really change my life. I'm most proud of how well my children are doing. They are smart, beautiful, and loving. When I see them together it makes me really happy. Something interesting about me is that I like to sing and dance.
Need funded!
Thank you for helping Emily fund this need.
7 supporters
This need has been validated by Alexis from CLAIM (Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers)
Recent supporters
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- $315
Validated
Validated by Alexis from CLAIM (Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers) (What does this mean?)
Each need is validated by a nonprofit that knows the person and can verify that the help is necessary. Funds flow from Benevolent to the nonprofit, which then gets them to the person in need and lets us know how it went.
Learn more »I have known Emily for 3 months. We met when I represented her in her guardianship case.
I think meeting this need is important because it will help her and her children succeed. Getting custody of four children back is a huge expense, especially when you are living on Social Security (Emily is disabled). While she is saving some money, having their first round of school supplies and uniforms paid for will be incredibly helpful.
She will hopefully never again have to start from zero. This will move the recipient's life forward by allowing her to send her children to school with the supplies and clothing they need, as well as allowing her to feel like she is providing for her children.
Emily is a wonderful mother. She is learning how to take care of all four children - the four of whom did not live together previous to this. The children are so excited to have their mother back. Still, having all of the children back home is very expensive, and having school uniforms and supplies would make things so much easier on them all.
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