Dear Friend of Solutions at Work,

  

Please allow me to introduce myself.  I am a single mother of happy, healthy five-year-old triplets: Kyle, Aryanna, and Jozee.  We have been Solutions at Work program participants for the past 2 1/2 years while living on the brink of homelessness.

  

Danielle and her triplets

  

In November of 2005 all of that changed forever--my three little blessings arrived with special medical needs.  I quit my job to take care of them full time and my self-sufficiency quickly began to unravel. I began counting every penny and became all too accustomed to making gut-wrenching decisions.  Do I pay the rent or heating bill this month?  How do I break it to my kids that I can't afford to buy birthday or holiday presents for them?  Fortunately, one of Solutions at Work's many partner organizations referred me to the Children's Clothing Exchange.

  

For the past  2 1/2 years, I haven't had to purchase any clothing, books, or toys for my triplets thanks to Solutions at Work's Children's Clothing Exchange.  The program has provided us with thousands of dollars worth of children's items at no charge, allowing me to direct what little money we have to critical expenses such as food, rent, and medical care.  Best of all, my kids and I feel really great about participating in the Exchange because it's a way to help other families in need.  My children receive seasonally appropriate clothes that fit and donate their outgrown clothing to other kids who need it.  They're starting kindergarten this fall and have the clothing they need to show up dressed nicely, comfortably, and ready to learn.  They also have plenty of books and toys to stimulate their young minds.

  

Solutions at Work recently gave me another opportunity to participate in the organization's efforts to end homelessness.  Through their Speak Up! program, I shared my family's story of living on the brink of homelessness with guests at the organization's Swing Into Spring Golf Tournament.  I was very surprised to receive a standing ovation--it did wonders for me self-esteem!

  

My children's health is finally stable and they will be in school full-time beginning this fall, so I have started to look for a job.  We recently moved into my parents' house because I can no longer afford rent.  Solutions at Work just provided me with an Internet-ready computer through their Get Connected! program at no charge.  I have been using it to find employment opportunities, search for affordable housing, and stay in touch with my support network.  Solutions at Work has offered to outfit me with professional attire through their SolutionsWear program so I can put my best foot forward on job interviews.  Once I secure employment and identify affordable housing, Solutions at Work's Moving Up program will transport my family's belongings to a new home of our own.

  

While we're not yet out of the woods, I am confident that my children are going to have a wonderful kindergarten year and that we will be living in a home of our own once again in the very near future.  Without Solutions at Work and the host of agencies that Solutions at Work partners with, I would have lost hope that I could regain my self-sufficiency and provide for my family.

  

Without the support of people like you, thousands of local families like mine would be living in emergency shelters.  Your support helps us achieve financial stability and preserve our dignity.

  

Sincerely,

Danielle Ray