One of the biggest down falls of school closures is the inequity that it has created for so many. 

 I want to introduce you to my friend Melinda. Melinda is a single mother to three children, ages 8, 9, and 12. When COVID hit in March she was blessed to be able to work from home. Fortunately, with a lot of her job duties being put on hold due to COVID she was better able to manage distance learning. However, when school began, the high expectations of her job returned leaving her between a rock and a hard place. She had to figure out how to do her job as a School Psychologist, get her children on distance learning, and support her students all in a time of such extreme needs. With no alternative choice, she felt the need to put her three children in private school, to give them the needed opportunity to have adult support during the day, they deserve to have a quality education, they deserve interaction. Melinda has been willing to do whatever it takes to make this work for her children. She took on DoorDashing on the side to help make ends meet, sacrificing time as their mother to give them an equitable education.
Over the last two and a half years, they have worked so hard on their family. Melinda has changed everything about their lives starting with getting herself mentality and physically healthy, which includes dropping nearly 100 pounds so she can not only better provide for her children, but also set an example of a healthy life style, showing them there is no short cummings or shortcuts in life, you must work hard for the things you want, but also know when to not let pride get in the way when there comes a time in life where you may need help. Melinda did this so that she would have a life healthy enough to live it with them for the long term. And now it feels as though she is not giving them the time, they have worked so hard to have. They have made a family pact to be the best family they can be by, loving each other, listening to each other, being honest to each other and helping take care of each other. Melinda’s three amazingly responsible and beautiful children are her first priority, they are her inspiration and motivation. I am asking for a small reprieve, a small gift of time, and helping give a small family the biggest opportunity a mother to continue to be present enough to embrace her children with a little less stress.  Thank you for taking the time to read about my dear friend Melinda and her children.  I understand times are hard for all right now, any donation no matter the size, or even a share to help spread this story will be greatly appreciated by Melinda, her three children and myself!

Thank you in advance for your time, share and donation,
Brenda