Watch Norma's video

Overview

I'm a single mother of 6. I just moved into a new place and I need some bunk beds for my boys, and some drawers, and now that the summer finally came, I need an air conditioner. With this economy, even though I work a full time job, I still don't make enough to get furniture for my kids to sleep comfortably.

Meeting this need will help me because my boys won't have to ask me why the girls get to have a bed and they don't. So, if meeting this need is accomplished my boys will not feel left behind and won't keep asking me when we will have money for beds and won't break my heart.

My goal is to keep working hard to just have to worry about rent and bills and not material stuff like furniture in my home.

My current situation is I'm a mother of 6 separated from my husband almost 3 years ago. I work a full time job and have been living with family members for the past years. Finally, 2 months ago I was able to move into my own apartment and with help of friends I've been able to get there. My boys and myself have been sleeping on the floor on a mattress so I'm asking for the help to get them a bunk bed and drawers so they can have a nice room that they can call a bed and their clothes won't be on boxes anymore. Also we finally hit summer and the fans are not doing the job so I need help to get an a/c too.

Right now, my biggest challenge is trying to raise 6 kids with no child support at all and all my monthly income goes towards rent and bills. It's really hard for me to get my children anything they need because I have to count the last penny to use for priority like putting a roof over my kids.

I think of myself mostly as a mother. I have 4 girls and 2 boys, I left my husband because domestic violence and have to raise my kids on my own. I don't get child support because since he's not able to see the kids for how violent he is then he thinks he doesn't have to pay child support. 

Something interesting about me is that I have no limits. If I don't know it I learn it. I'm most proud of myself for been able to walk out of a violent relationship. It took seven years but now its part of my past. I'm proud that I can say I have a place for my kids and me and that I did it alone. 

I have worked at jobs from house cleaning to assistant manager.

I have done lost of mistakes including getting pregnant at 16 but I have always managed to survive and make sure that none of my kids stay behind. I'm thankful for all those nice people that have come across my life and without even knowing me and reach out to me. I have been working in the same job now for 3 years and it feels wonderful to be free.

Watch Tracy's video

Validated

Validated by Tracy from Childcare Network of Evanston (What does this mean?)

I have known Norma for two years now. She started her little girl in our program at seven months old.

I think meeting this need is important because Norma is a person who is trying her best to do all she can for her children. She has been doing a great job with raising her kids with out the fathers help. She really needs the help after finding a bigger places for her and her children, because she had to pay a security deposit with cut her funds back on buying the things that she needs for her kids.

This will move the Norma's life forward by not having that worry on her mind of how is she going to get the things her children needs.

I know that she and her family will be very happy if they get funded from this program and just making things a lot easier for them.

About Tracy

My job title is Family Advocate. I have been in this position since September 2001. My job involves helping families to find resources, child care, coming up with goals to move their family forward. I help them to be the advocate for their family. What I like about my job is seeing the families I… Read more