As many of you in my circle may already know, Tommy and I have recently welcomed a young teen into our home. He came to us after leaving a difficult home environment, with nothing but the clothes he was wearing and had been without a safe place to stay for some time.

While we are working our way through miles of red tape to secure long-term financial support through our local government agencies/CAS, his needs are immediate and very real. We all know the saying “it takes a village to raise a child,” and right now I am leaning on my village.

I have happily opened our home to provide him with safety, stability, food and the comfort and privacy of his own bedroom. I am also helping him return to school, and supporting him as he starts to rebuild hope for his future and set his sights on post-secondary education.

But teen boys have needs, and as he is now part of our family for the foreseeable future, I want to ensure he is fully provided for.

Funds raised will go toward:

Properly furnishing his bedroom with essentials that make it his own

Electronics to support his schoolwork and daily life

Clothing for every season, including winter gear

Transit and access to activities and extra-curriculars

Personal care, shoes, and the everyday comforts every child deserves

As a single mom, I can provide a loving home, stability and support but the financial demands of this new responsibility are more than I can manage alone. This is where community matters most and where your support, in any amount, can make a direct and meaningful impact on a young person’s life.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping me show him what it means to be surrounded by care, dignity and belonging.