Updates
Update from Christen: Jul 16, 2012
I Christen would like to thank you all for your support and compassion about assisting me get a car to get back and forth to work and take my children to school. It has been a wonderful and excited experience now I am driving to conduct home visits to my participant’s apartments throughout the City of Chicago. My car allows me to get to my destination quicker and hassle free without depending on public transportation. I thank you all and my wonderful and spiritual pastor, Rev. Dr. David L. Bryant, Jr. for seeing the needs and the vision of helping me get a car. I purchase a white, four doors 2000 Neon/ES and me and my children loves it. I will also send you a picture of my car. You all have a peaceful and bless season and continue blessing other Children of God in need.
Pastor Bryant's response when Christen's need was funded: Jun 19, 2012
Great to hear that Christen has been funded. This will improve her quality of life greatly. What a blessing this is for her and her family. She will be able to be more effective as a caseworker and spend more time with her (3) three children. She had to depart from home very early and she returned so late. Thank you to the Benevolence ministry and especially to the Donors.
Yours in Ministry,
Dr. David Bryant, Jr.
Christen's update on hearing her need has been funded: Jun 14, 2012
Good Morning,
I just want to thank you all for the blessing you have given me and my
children. I am now able to purchase a car so we can get back and forth
to school and work each day. It has been a long journey this winter
catching five buses and a train to get my children to school than I
ride 2 more to get to work each day. Now I don't have to catch the
train and buses any more to go see my clients that take all day on the
bus and train. Me and my family is truly grateful for the wonderful
blessing you have given us. I pray for you and you pray for me and
watch God change things, and he have and will continue too.
Be Bless,
Christen
A change for Christen May 21, 2012
Benevolent provided Christen the option to extend her need for another 30 days. Christen also got the cost of the car reduced by $250, leaving only $375 left to raise so Christen and her children can shave hours off their daily commute.
The Benevolent Team
Overview
I need a car for work because I am a Lead Case Manager and I need to travel to see my clients on a bi-weekly basis at their home. I can afford the monthly expenses, I just need the remaining $700 to purchase the car.
My current situation is I am a single parent raising three children who goes to three different schools. Me and my children have to take three buses and the train to get to school and work each day. We leave out of the house every morning at 6:15am to get to work and school on time.
I am really in need of a car. Once I get to work I have to do home visits to my clients who lives scattered throughout Chicago area and who are housed through our transitional housing program for two years.
Right now, my biggest challenge is trying to get me and my children to school and work on time each day. It's hard for me to to drop off two children at two different schools and get to work on time on public transportation. Once I get to work, I still have to travel to see my clients at their homes on public transportation to provide services to them.
Once I get off work then I goes to school at Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies for my Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from 6:15-9:15pm on Thursday only. I usually get home from school around 11:30pm. I will receive my Master Degree in August 2012.
Meeting this need will help me because once I purchase this car, I will be able to get my family to school on time, work, and be able to see more clients on a daily basis.
My main goal is to lessen my commute time for me and my children so we can spend more time together. I will be able to see my clients more in an effective and efficient way. Also, I will be able to get home more faster after school so I can get more rest for the next day.
I am a former resident from Chicago Housing Authority's, Ida B. Wells development. I took the opportunities CHA offered to residents; that if they go back to school they will qualify for scholarships. I have been receiving the CHA Window of Opportunity Scholarship since I went back to school in 2005. I am now working on achieving my Master Degree in 2012. I was fortunate enough to move to Oakwood Shore the new community apartment that replaced Ida B. Wells when they were torn down. I also purchased a home through Chicago Housing Choice Voucher program Choose to Own Program in 2008. I was recognized by Chicago Housing Choice Voucher program and selected to do an interview about where CHA residents went. My interview articles was posted in Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribute on the same day on April 15, 2012.
Since I been working for this nonprofit organization I have been promoted three times for my achievements in school, motivate and advocate to my clients to achieve their goals, and my commitment to the organizations that allow me the opportunity to grow. I was also nominated this year to become a Chicago Housing Authority Commissioner for the City of Chicago. I really need assistance purchasing a car for my family and especially to keep my job that I have been invested in for eight years.
My current situation is I am a single parent raising three children who goes to three different schools. Me and my children have to take three buses and the train to get to school and work each day. We leave out of the house every morning at 6:15am to get to work and school on time. I am really in need of a car. Once I get to work I have to do home visit to my clients who lives scattered throughout the Chicago area and who are housed through our transitional housing program for two years.
I live with my three children. One daughter 16 years old, second daughter 14 years old and my son 6 years old. I went to school at National Louis University and I am working on a graduate degree from Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, with a GPA of 3.6.
I'm most proud of all of my achievements I made in my life and my trials and tribulations that kept me motivated and determined to hold on to my dream with the Lord on me and my children's side.
My ultimate goal is to have a nonprofit business providing housing for single parents through parenting classes, life skills workshops, being around positive people, advocating, mentoring and motivating them to go back to school, providing health care, legal services, building their self-esteem and finally believing and putting God in their life first to guide them in the right direction.
I think of myself mostly as a mentor for my clients and a success story as a resident coming out of one of Chicago Public Housing Ida. B. Wells development and becoming a homeowner through Chicago Housing Choice Voucher Program/Choose to Own Program.
Something interesting about me is I am a people person, love helping anybody in need, especially if I have it, I will give it away. I love working for Social Services Organizations.
I am a person you should know. After reading my stories, I hope you will grant my wish.
Validated
Validated by Pastor Bryant from Allen Metro CME Church (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 »My name is David Bryant, Jr. and I am privileged to serve as pastor of Allen Metropolitan Church where Ms. Christen is an active member. I have had the pleasure of knowing her and her three children for approximately 2 years during which time she has proven herself to be a loving mother, trustworthy person, and a very ambitious hardworking lady.
She is very much in need of an automobile so she can fulfill her responsibilities as a caseworker. Also, the automobile would improve her family life because she would be able to arrive home from work several hours earlier to have more quality time with her children.