Maternity Leave for Christa
Donation protected
As many of you have heard, Christa, Jeremy and Tilly are expecting baby twins this summer!! This is a joyous occasion and our entire family could not be more excited. But this truly wonderful news also brings into stark focus one of our country's greatest shortcomings--our lack of paid maternal leave; our lack of support for infants, children and families. For me, this lack is all the more unpardonable when I think about Christa, who has served as a dedicated public school teacher for the last eleven years. Our public school teachers are the backbone of our communities. Each and every day they hold that which we cherish most, our children. And yet, as a nation we do not reciprocate. As Christa prepares to welcome two beautiful babies, she does so without a single day of paid maternity leave. She must rely exclusively on the sick-days she has accumulated over her many years of public service. The total: 28.5 days. Christa's limited time off with the babies will be reduced further still if she needs to draw upon any of that time before the end of this school year, when she will be over seven months pregnant.
There really are not words. We can and must do better as a nation. But until then, we must do the best we can by one another. I ask each and every one of you--those who love Christa & Jeremy--to stand united in the breach, and to provide the respect, care and protection that they deserve. The reality is simple: with their combined expenses (student loans, home mortgage, car payments, and groceries for five), Christa & Jeremy will need help to stay afloat financially until Christa is able to return to full-time work around Thanksgiving, when the twins will only be three months old.
Already, an outpouring of love and support has begun. Friends have helped find them a reliable used minivan, and their community is coming together in April to add an additional bathroom to their home (volunteer to join the build)! But looking ahead to the arrival of their babies, there will be a significant period when Christa & Jeremy will be relying on just one income instead of two. They need our help.
I ask you to join me in supporting Christa & Jeremy. Our fundraising goal of $15,000, while immensely helpful, represents just a portion of what they will need in the coming months. Even a small gift will make an impact and will be so very appreciated.
In gratitude,
Holly (Christa's sister)
There really are not words. We can and must do better as a nation. But until then, we must do the best we can by one another. I ask each and every one of you--those who love Christa & Jeremy--to stand united in the breach, and to provide the respect, care and protection that they deserve. The reality is simple: with their combined expenses (student loans, home mortgage, car payments, and groceries for five), Christa & Jeremy will need help to stay afloat financially until Christa is able to return to full-time work around Thanksgiving, when the twins will only be three months old.
Already, an outpouring of love and support has begun. Friends have helped find them a reliable used minivan, and their community is coming together in April to add an additional bathroom to their home (volunteer to join the build)! But looking ahead to the arrival of their babies, there will be a significant period when Christa & Jeremy will be relying on just one income instead of two. They need our help.
I ask you to join me in supporting Christa & Jeremy. Our fundraising goal of $15,000, while immensely helpful, represents just a portion of what they will need in the coming months. Even a small gift will make an impact and will be so very appreciated.
In gratitude,
Holly (Christa's sister)
Organizer
Holly Henderson-Fisher
Organizer
West Stockbridge, MA
