YouthHope Foundation | PO Box 7803 Redlands, CA 92375 US
2021 Stories
I've Never Had to Ask for Help
I’ve always been able to provide for me and my family. I’ve never had to ask for help. I’m a single mom of 3 living in an apartment.
I’ve always had good jobs that pay well. I’m not rich, but I’m definitely able to pay my bills and do fun activities with my children. That is, until COVID hit.
I quickly lost my job as a waitress and didn't know how long it would be before I could get a new job. I applied for unemployment and have done my best to live within my means.
It’s been so hard to be able to keep food on the table, stay on top of my bills, and buy just the necessities.
I started working with food courier companies to try to offset my bills, but it still was a struggle every week.
I saw a post on Facebook about YouthHope offering groceries to anyone in the community. As much as my pride didn't want to admit that I needed help, I knew it would be best for my family to have fresh groceries for them.
I stopped by YouthHope and was amazed at the generosity that I was shown. I was shown kindness, love, and respect.
The food we received was fresh, high quality food that I felt very comfortable feeding my kids.
They saw that I had kids in the car and added fun desserts in my grocery boxes to brighten up their day.
I was also told to come back if I needed more and I cannot explain the relief that I felt knowing that I had a place that could help me again if I needed it.
I have several other ex co-workers that are in the same place and I was able to share this resource with them as well.
I can’t wait till I am in a better place and I can give back to YouthHope. This small gesture that they have shown has made me view the world in a different way.
I will never judge someone again. You never know what someone is going through and why they may need some help.
Thank you YouthHope for the help and for showing me how to be a better person in this world.
A Wrapped Gift?!?
I’m not homeless, but I’m poor. My parents have always tried to provide for us, but its never been easy. They don’t have an education, they jump from job to job, and we usually are short on funds every month.
I spend most of my time at the local skatepark. It’s an escape from my life and I like the people there. I noticed YouthHope earlier in the year when they continually showed up with food and water and clothes. I always take food from them because I’m not guaranteed food when I get home.
Around October, the people from YouthHope started talking about free shoes for Christmas. The part that really shocked me was that the shoes would be wrapped. In wrapping paper!
I’ve never received a wrapped gift before. Ever! Living in poverty means gifts are rare. And wrapped gifts are even rarer.
I signed up the first day that I was able to and then waited impatiently until the day of the party.
I showed up the day of the party and ran right up to the cars to get my shoes. When they gave me my first wrapped gift, I didn't want to unwrap it. I wanted to keep it wrapped. I wanted to keep it as a reminder that I’m loved and cared for.
I was supposed to try on the shoes before I left the park, but I didn't. I didn't want to unwrap it. I waited a few days before I opened them and kept the wrapping paper.
I can’t wait for next Christmas where I can get another wrapped pair of shoes from YouthHope. Until then, I have a goal to better my life.
I’m going to try harder in school, do my homework, and be a better listener to my parents. I have a goal to be in a better spot next year when I receive my wrapped gift.
YouthHope believes in me and has offered to help me anytime I need it.
Thank you YouthHope for being a constant source of help in my life and for giving me a new sense of belonging and drive.
