As the holiday season brings joy and togetherness, many in our community continue to struggle with significant challenges. Rising costs and economic uncertainties mean that countless individuals and families are facing a tough road to meet even their most basic needs. But through the Giving Fund, you can bring light and hope to our neighbors in need.
Now in its eighth consecutive year, the Hour is once again partnering with Family & Children’s Agency (FCA) to share stories of need and resilience. FCA supports thousands of children, families, adults, and seniors in our community and beyond, and each week, the Hour will highlight 10 stories of some who require immediate assistance. Their needs range from vital school supplies and medical necessities to essential home goods and groceries. Every story carries a unique case number, allowing you to direct your donation to a specific individual or to the broader Client Support Fund at FCA via https://bit.ly/FCAgiving24 or the QR code provided.
To protect their privacy, names and details have been changed, and many of those mentioned are unaware their story has been shared. Any donations exceeding a client’s immediate needs will go toward the FCA Client Support Fund, ensuring your generosity continues to support others in need.
In any amount, your contribution will bring hope and relief to individuals and families, offering a helping hand and a brighter holiday season for those who need it most.
101: Isabel adopted three children from DCF who all have very significant needs. At 15, 11, and 8 years old, the children have intellectual disabilities, and autism. The youngest has a feeding tube and is nonverbal. Due to the kids’ needs, Isabel has not been able to get away for a few days so she can recharge her battery. Respite care for a few days would allow her to take a short break and take care of her own health, but that involves hiring a nurse to care for the children. A gift of $500 would allow Isabel to take this much-needed break so she can continue to care for these special kids.
102: Amir is 14 years old and lives with his dad and four siblings, all of whom were traumatized when Amir’s mother died suddenly a few years ago. They are struggling to make ends meet. One of the tasks that is a burden on the family is laundry, as bringing all the children and their loads of laundry to a laundromat is time consuming and difficult. A gift of $400 would allow them to get a washing machine for their home and make this tedious chore easier.
103: Victoria and her husband are raising two young children in Norwalk. Her husband works in landscaping and due to the seasonal changes, his hours have been reduced significantly. Though the family plans for the reduced hours each year, they are struggling to afford basic needs for their children. As winter approaches, a gift of $400 would allow Susan to purchase warm clothing and a toddler bed for her youngest.
104: Aurora is a young woman who has faced domestic violence and homelessness. She finally found stable housing just last year. Since then, she’s been working tirelessly to support herself and maintain her new home. Despite her determination, she knows that her current income won’t be enough to cover the costs of going back to school next year. She dreams of furthering her education, but school supplies and textbooks are a financial hurdle. A gift of $500 would allow her to purchase the materials she needs to bring her closer to completing her degree.
105: Walter is a senior who lives alone with only a few friends left and no family members still alive. Once, he was an avid photographer and has countless memories printed in his home, but they are disorganized and instead of bringing him peace and comfort they are a source of stress. Walter needs somewhere to store these images so they can be cherished and not lost. A gift of $200 would allow him to purchase a filing cabinet and some frames so he can organize the memories that show a lifetime of love.
106: Marshall is unemployed and struggling to make ends meet. He has been searching for work every single day but only finds temporary, low-paying work. He is unable to put food on the table some days and has no mode of transportation. A gift of $400 would allow Marshall grocery money and a bus pass so he can get around town and search for work more easily.
107: Jonas is so young at only 30 years old but had a tragic accident that led to both his legs being amputated. He is waiting for his disability to be approved and for prosthetic legs to be made. He has an incredible and loving dog he would like to get trained as a service dog, but the training is expensive. A gift of $500 would help him pay for this training so he and his furry friend can work together to adjust to their new reality.
108: Monica and Reece adopted Ava, 6, in Alabama when she was just three days old. Ava was born addicted to many substances and struggled as a newborn. She continues to have challenges with her behavior at both home and school, but her therapists feel dance classes would help her have a positive outlet for her energy. Ava loves to dance and would excel in a class. A gift of $300 would allow Ava to dance for a few months.
109: Silas works two jobs and supports his legally blind wife and their two daughters. Their youngest daughter, Tara, has learning disabilities and an issue with hoarding. Although the family is helping her with therapy and other services, they need to clean up their home so it’s safe. A gift of $150 would help them buy cleaning supplies so they can have a fresh start.
110: Eliana is 19 and is not supported by her abusive parents. Her mental health issues and learning disability led to her dropping out of college last year. She is attending community college and doing well but walks three miles each way to get to the library to do her schoolwork. A gift of $450 would allow her to buy a laptop so she can have more time and energy for her classes and move toward achieving her goals.
