Let’s get this special family rolling!

If you are wondering what you can do to help others in this season of giving, please consider helping an incredible family! It's a perfect time of year to offer up a random act of kindness!

As a school and public health nurse, I have had the opportunity to work with some pretty spectacular families. The Covid-19 Pandemic has brought me in touch with one family who is different from any other I have had the pleasure to work with. They have faced unimaginable heartbreak and loss and turned that grief into a bond of unconditional love for one another. With their permission, I shared their story with Nancy Phillips, a trusted friend and social worker in our community. We both feel compelled to help this family and realize this is bigger than us and we need your help to make something amazing happen!

(to protect their privacy, we've changed their names).

Here is some of their story. Four years ago, their mother was tragically murdered. Days later, the 18 year old oldest sister, L, became the guardians to her 2 younger sisters, K who was 8 years old at the time and H who was only 2 years old. L finished her senior year of high school while becoming a mother to her sisters and taking on all the responsibilities that entailed, while still reeling in shock and grief with the unexpected loss of their mother.

Can you imagine an 18 year old taking on all that responsibility with very limited support?

Fast forward to 2020. Along with other difficult situations, complications and challenges, this young, fragile family was affected by Covid. The cumulation of these circumstances led to a loss of work for L which caused housing insecurity. With literally no other option than to become homeless, L took the girls and lived in a hotel for a few weeks. Then they moved in with a grandmother in another part of the state. Every day, L would search for a place to possibly call home. Through her sheer grit and perseverance, L was able to secure housing in North Andover, which allowed her sisters to stay in the NA school system so they could continue to build on the relationships they had formed with friends and teachers. L was able to start a new full time job where she has been thriving.

Now 22, L has established a safe and secure home for herself and her girls. Things are more stable but they are still getting by week to week. L works full time to provide for her family and is saving anything she can buy a new car. The car she has been driving is unreliable and not always available to her. She needs a safe and reliable car to get to work, to the grocery store, to drive her 2 young sisters to school and after school activities, plus all the other errands that come with being a mom.

The stress of parenting and adulting at 22 years old is certainly trying, but L is the definition of resilience! She is patient with her situation but will be the first to admit that it can be very overwhelming and scary at times. Her biggest worry currently is getting a car to get herself to work and the kids to school before the weather gets much colder.

L has saved some money but not enough to buy a car, get it on the road and insure it. We are asking for your support and donations to make this happen! Both Nancy and I believe that if we spread the word about L and the girls’ situation, together we can help this family get a car and make their life a little easier. Along with this crowdfunding, the Phillips and Pease families will work with L and a trusted local used car dealer to get them a reliable car.

Let’s get this special family rolling!

We appreciate anything you can share to help this very special family!

Thank you for reading and Happy Holidays to you and yours,

Kathleen and Nancy