Alex & Sharon Zorzoliu

Alex and Sharon Zorzoliu, as part of LYDIA International, are committed to responding to the needs of children and families in Romania. They work with poor families and those in crisis situations.

The physical goals are to see families stay together to have a chance at a future and to break the cycle of poverty. The spiritual goals are to share their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, to disciple, and to plug people into a local church.

The last 7 years they have worked mainly in villages in Southern Romania, helping children become educated, meeting medical needs, helping families have safe living conditions, teaching them about God and how He wants us to live. They have taken children into their home when needed and have encouraged others to come alongside those in need.

Marinela & Costel

Marinela and Costel, pictured below with their little girl, came to know the Lord through the ministry. They now help Alex and Sharon help other families in the village. Tools are given to families so they can grow their own food—seeds, plants, chicks, goats, etc. The families work and take pride in what they do and that they can provide for their families.

FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Tax-deductible gifts may be mailed here:

LYDIA Home Association
4300 W. Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60641-2525

Please reference “Romania” on the memo line

To email the team in Romania, or questions about our donation, please reach out to development@lydiahome.org

Since 2006, God has used LYDIA International and their partnership with a local Evangelical church to minister to children and families in the southern port city of Marseille, France.

In the neighborhood named “Les Crottes” (which politely translates as “Doggie doo-doo”), most of the families live in extreme poverty and many parents cannot read or write. Illiteracy has condemned these families to the repeating cycle of being outcasts from society as well as being unable to improve their living situation.

Weekly Gospel Clubs

Each week we welcome the neighborhood children to a Gospel Club. There is a Bible lesson as well as songs, a craft or game, and a snack. During the early years, most of the children did not speak French nor did they attend school.

Since these children didn’t know the days of the week and they had no concept of time, they were often found standing outside the church door from morning to afternoon hoping it was a club day.

When the kids saw a familiar person, they would call out the fragmented sentence, “When club?” The answer was usually given both orally and by the showing of fingers to help them understand.

Currently there are several children that faithfully attend the club whose parents attended clubs many years ago.

Tutoring Program

Realizing that the children needed more academic help, tutoring sessions became available. Volunteers worked with the children either individually or in small groups to help them learn letters, basic math skills, and to practice the French language by learning simple phrases and vocabulary.

One eight-year-old boy sat in front of the door and waited over two hours to have his turn doing math. After an hour of math activities, he pleaded with us to let him stay longer.

Results

In the past decade, there have been some exciting things happening. Despite the language difficulties, many children are able to understand that God loves them. Each year we have seen groups of children ask Jesus to forgive them and wash their hearts clean. What a joy to see their lives changing as God’s love transforms their hearts!

The 2017-2018 school year was the first year that these kids stayed in school for the entire academic year. What a wonderful answer to prayer!

The children continue to learn, and they are catching up academically. They are now able to have discussions in French, read posters on the door, and they can now discuss and answer questions about the club’s Bible lesson.

It is not unusual to see children waiting outside the door for their turn to have a tutoring session. These children want to learn. In 2018, one mom participated in tutoring sessions along with her children because she wanted to learn to read too.

Prayer is Crucial

God answers prayer. We need and appreciate your prayer support! Will you pause and pray right now that God will continue to show His love to these children and families and to make disciples in this neighborhood?

French philosopher Blaise Pascal’s prayer echoes the cry of our hearts, “Lord, help us to do great things as though they were small since we do them with Your power, and small things as though they were great, since we do them in Your name.”

FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Tax-deductible gifts may be mailed here:

LYDIA Home Association
4300 W. Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60641-2525

Please reference “France” on the memo line

To email the team in Marseille, or if you have questions about your donation, please reach out to: development@lydiahome.org

By the time he was 10-years-old, Antonio had been placed in 7 different foster homes. Tony* was born into a broken family. His father was abusive and his mother found her comfort in drugs. Tony was either invisible or the focus of violent anger. 

After multiple foster families gave up on him, he was sent to live at LYDIA Home in the 1990’s. The staff remembers him arriving as a traumatized and challenging kid. However, at LYDIA, Tony went from being the instigator of fights to a mediator and reconciler.

The staff never stopped investing in him. They believed that he could have a bright future full of HOPE, HEALING, and HOME.

They were right. When he was 15-years-old, Tony was placed into a loving foster home. He has since married, fathered three children, and has his own home. Tony remains in contact with the staff at LYDIA, whom he regards as his family. This past summer, he decided to invest in a child at LYDIA. He began mentoring Michael*, a very small and loving 6-year-old boy.

While mentoring Michael, a boy with a painful past like his own, Tony and his wife decided to get their foster care license. This past summer, Tony’s family welcomed Michael into their home and became the boy’s foster family.

When a community invests in the lives of hurting children, kids like Tony, their entire lives can be changed for the better. Instead of repeating the same patterns of his parents, his life was redirected. He was guided by people who were committed to him and invested in him.

Our hope is that our LYDIA supporters would continue to INVEST in our community by investing in children in Foster Care. We ask you to consider doing at least one of the following:

• Take a tour of LYDIA - Learn more about us and meet our team

• Volunteer – We have many opportunities to serve: www.lydiahome.org/volunteers

• Donate - More than ever, we need financial support to care for these children.

Invest in children. Invest in LYDIA.

*names and personal information have been tweaked to preserve the privacy of the people in the stories.

Rachel* never knew who was coming through the door. On Friday afternoons, when she would get locked in her bedroom she knew she would have to wait to learn who her parents had become after spending the weekend at the casino. Would they be the jubilant winners, celebrating their good fortune? Or would they be the dejected couple burdened with caring for a 6-year-old girl that brought them nothing but bad luck?

Too many times the house won, and Rachel lost. Their frustration, fueled by alcohol, was unleashed on a little girl who’d been waiting in fear….By the time Rachel arrived at LYDIA, she’d learned to anticipate being shuttered away to await a punishment she did not deserve. She waited, day-after-day, but it never came.

Instead, day-after-day, she found love and acceptance by the professionals at LYDIA. The consistency, structure, and routine began freeing her from anxiety and allowed her to feel safe for the first time in her life. Her therapist at LYDIA taught her healthy ways to open her heart, to forgive, and live with dignity and self-respect.

Because of you, children like Rachel, living at LYDIA are on the path to their forever home. They need your help. While the State of Illinois does provide funding for our residential and foster care programs, this funding does not cover all of the costs we incur. We rely upon the generosity of donors like you to provide Hope, Healing, and Home to our children.

More than ever we need your support!       

We are asking you to stand with LYDIA. As we near the end of our fiscal year, we’re asking you to stand with the children served by our Foster Care program as their LYDIA Case Workers guide them to their forever home. Stand with the children in our Residential Program who need LYDIA Home to heal from the severe abuse they’ve endured. Stand with those whose lives have been changed by families who love them.

Together, we can make a difference for these children but we need your help. We’re ambitiously praying to raise $100,000 by June 30th. This target will help us:

• Increase the capacity of our Foster Care Program, leading to more “forever homes” for more children.

• Renovate our residential facility to create a more welcoming, therapeutic environment.

• Secure more therapeutic services for our children traumatized by abuse.

Would you be willing to make a donation of $500, $100, or even $50? Whatever you can supply will help us meet our goal and bring Hope, Healing, and Home to our children.

We simply can’t do it without you. 

Your support makes a real, lasting impact in their lives. 

*names and personal information have been tweaked to preserve the privacy of the people in the stories.

Darnell was sitting on the porch by himself without a clue of what to do next. He was a 12-year-old boy who spent the weekend with a friend and come home to an empty apartment.

His Aunt was the only family he had. She became overwhelmed with her responsibilities and simply packed up and left, leaving her nephew to fend for himself.

Six hours passed before neighbors eventually contacted authorities and Darnell was taken into foster care. The boy's sadness and feelings of rejection led to frequent angry outbursts. He had experienced incredible trauma and was convinced that he was unlovable.

After living in six different foster homes, he came to Lydia Home.

Through the compassion of LYDIA staff, Darnell was able to receive the care he needed to restore his God-given dignity and prove to him that he was valuable. During his nearly three years at LYDIA, Darnell became a leader and an encourager to younger boys.

It was with great joy when, 2 weeks ago, we saw Darnell leave LYDIA to join his forever family!

About a year ago, I started following Lydia Home on Facebook and kept up with their posts.

One day, there was a post asking if anyone was open to giving music lessons to the kids that lived at Lydia. I replied and a few weeks later I had my first student. Her name was Sarah*. She received a new guitar through the generosity of donors. She was over the moon.

Our first lesson could not have gone better. For almost two hours, we learned all about the instrument and Sarah strummed her first few chords. She was grateful, kind, and eager to continue lessons. I, too, was blessed by volunteering at Lydia and was looking for more ways I could serve.

One of the staff let me know that there was a group activity scheduled that coming weekend and volunteers would be needed. I jumped at the chance to help out and that Sunday, I assisted at the activity as a chaperone.

During the activity, I saw Sarah and I waved hello. “Hi, Sarah.” I said, “I hope you’re practicing.” I’ll never forget the look on Sarah’s face: a look of shock and confusion. I felt embarrassed as if I had done something wrong.

Sarah walked up to me and said, with disbelief in her eyes, “YOU REMEMBERED MY NAME? I CAN’T BELIEVE SOMEBODY REMEMBERED MY NAME.” I realized outside of the staff at Lydia Home, few people had ever taken time to get to know Sarah by name. It was at this moment that I began to understand what neglect looks like—how damaging it is.

The holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel, said it best “The opposite of love is not hate; it is indifference”

- Sam*Lydia Home Mentor*

Sadly, Sarah’s story is far too common. In Illinois, there are almost 18,000 children in the Foster Care system right now; most of those children were removed from their homes due to extreme neglect. These children are not only forgotten by their family, but by people in their state, their city, and their neighborhood.

At Lydia, our goal is to provide HOPE, HEALING, AND HOME to the children who’ve been victims of neglect. To our team, HOPE means making sure kids know they are loved, seen, heard, and have a future. HEALING is freedom from the bondage of trauma, the restoration of God given dignity, and knowing that they matter to Him. And HOME is providing a safe and nurturing environment for children to grow.

*names and personal information have been tweaked to preserve the privacy of the people in the stories.

Ever since Lydia Home had telephones installed in the 1950s, the children that have lived here have used them to call friends and family.

Today, kids are able to call out two days per week to share about their lives. However, many kids in our care have no one to call. Some kids can’t legally contact relatives and others have family that simply don’t care that their child is calling.

To avoid embarrassment, our staff give their cell phone numbers to the kids to call.

Part of our mission in providing a nurturing environment for our kids is helping them establish healthy relationships with adults outside of Lydia Home.

These Mentors commit to one child living at Lydia Home—to get to know them, have fun with them, teach them life skills, and be available for phone call day.

Click here for more information about our programs and how to become a mentor.

For children, birthday parties are often the source of cherished memories.

At Lydia Home, our prayer is that every child would feel loved and celebrated on their birthday and that’s why it is a longstanding tradition that every kid gets a party.

Check out the excerpt from our newsletter from 1955 to see how parties were celebrated back then.

Our Auxiliary Board carries on the tradition of the monthly birthday party.

Click here to learn more about joining the birthday party or to bake a dessert for the celebration!

Since opening its doors in 2002, the school has graduated more than 50 students who had encountered academic adversity elsewhere.

A school like LUA is rare. It is a highly professional, accredited school that serves the most vulnerable students.

The decision to close the school was made in light of increasing funding challenges and a desire to position LYDIA Home Association to best focus on programs most closely aligned with its mission to strengthen families to care for children and to care for children when families cannot.

LYDIA Home Association’s Executive Director, Dr. Dave Anderson, said, “The staff of LUA has done an amazing job of creating an educational environment that nurtures students, helps them grow spiritually, and promotes their educational success. These teachers and staff have sacrificially given their time and energy to build into struggling students. Please join me in affirming and supporting what they have accomplished and the positive impact they have had on so many young lives.”

LUA Chicago will remain open through December to allow most of the current students to graduate.

If you are interested in supporting the students and helping LUA Chicago finish strong, please visit LydiaHome.org/Give for information on how to give financially.

Donating your old vehicle to LYDIA* is convenient, easy, and may qualify you for a tax deduction. And best of all, your donation of a used car or truck will make a difference by supporting the children and families LYDIA serves.

Simply complete the short online form here or call 1-866-628-2277 and we will take care of the rest.

We will pick up your vehicle, arrange to have your donation towed, and provide you with a tax-deductible receipt, all at no charge to you.

Call 1-866-628-2277 or go online to arrange by clicking here.

Click here for a list of frequently asked questions about vehicle donations.

*LYDIA Home Association has partnered with Vehicles For Charity to process donated vehicles. Just call 1-866-628-2277 they will answer any other questions you may have and make arrangements to pick up your donation.

LYDIA’s residential program seeks to use the time residents are in our care to give the youth coping skills, along with therapy, to move past anger or hurt from childhood trauma.

This was the case for Mark* who came to LYDIA at age 13.

Before coming to LYDIA, he had taken care of his mom and younger siblings. If there was food needed, he had to find it and cook it. If there was money required for expenses, he needed to figure out how to earn it.

Once at LYDIA, Mark realized for the first time in his life, it could be about him. Soon after he arrived, he started to open up to receive anything anyone could give him about how to live life.

Mark's entire demeanor changed as a result. He didn’t walk around angry at the world any longer. Instead, he started smiling and looked forward to experiencing life.

Mark told staff he didn't want to waste a minute because he finally had a voice in his life and his future!

*names and personal information have been tweaked to preserve the privacy of the people in the stories.

Like Lydia home in the Bible, you have helped our programs continue to offer a place of comfort and security for the children and families we serve. Thank you for being a part of this journey—and helping us celebrate home.

Whether you’ve been a part of Safe Families or supported LYDIA ministries, we’re grateful for YOU—our friends and benefactors who serve as volunteers, open your homes to provide safety for children, pray faithfully for us, and support us with your generous gifts.

You are the real heroes in our story.

As part of the LYDIA Home Association and Safe Families community, we invite you will join us at a special dinner on Thursday, October 29 as we celebrate powerful stories of transformation that are a result of the work you have made possible through this the programs and movements of this organization.

October 29th,2015 - 6 p.m.

Doors Open: 6:30 p.m.

Dinner & Program

Hyatt Regency O’Hare
(NOTE: New location) 9300 Bryn Mawr Avenue Rosemont, IL 60018

Or contact Becki at 773-896-3234, or email development@lydiahome.org.

Summer camp experiences are an enriching part of childhood for many.

This is the case for the LYDIA Urban Academy students who attended the camp. They were challenged and stretched through activities such as a treetops ropes course, zip-line, trust falls, and tubing on the lake.

Students learned that teens can have a great time without drugs or alcohol. And most importantly, they saw their college-aged counselors living a Christ-centered life.

The week they spent at camp was life-changing.

Eleven of the 20 students who attended camp this year came back having made a commitment to follow Jesus. This is the greatest response we have had in the six years we have been sending kids to camp.

LYDIA Urban Academy staff is committed to helping students learn how to grow in their faith.

One of the 11 students who made a faith commitment is Eric. He began attending LUA last November after he had been expelled from his previous high school. Because he had run out of options, he was willing to attend our Christian high school even though he proclaimed himself an atheist. During the months preceding camp, Eric was gradually becoming less antagonistic about Christianity as he was introduced to some of Jesus’ teachings and to our Christian staff.

At camp, on the last night, during the final large group gathering of several hundred, we were shocked to see Eric stand in the crowd to indicate his desire to accept Christ. Since Eric is a practical joker of great proportion, we thought perhaps he was playing around in his unique blend of humor. But no, he has shown himself to be serious in his decision since that point.

We are praying that his new faith will take root and that he will use his many strengths to honor the Lord.

We are so grateful to our community partners who made this camp experience possible.

Willow North Shore donates generously each year; the Corporate Coach bus company provided us with transportation at minimal cost, and generous individual donors made this trip possible. Thank you for helping change lives!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CAMP SLIDESHOW

Your part of reaching those in need.

June 30 marks the end of another fiscal year at LYDIA. This year alone, LYDIA has served thousands of children and their families through Safe Families, Urban Academy, residential, foster care, counseling, and preschool.

We're counting on you to stand with us to meet the needs of these children and families.

Prayerfully consider your best gift so LYDIA can continue to strengthen families to care for children and care for children when families cannot.

Left: Charlotte and Gayle. Right: Gayle and six adopted children.

The picture to the left above is nothing short of a miracle. The smiles of a mother (Gayle) and daughter (Charlotte) took years of trials and lots of love to get to where they are today.

Charlotte was removed from the home of her birth parents and later placed at LYDIA in the residential program because of her anger and aggression.

At 12 years old, she moved into foster care with Gayle. In order to be the mom Charlotte needed, Gayle had to sacrifice much. "It wasn't easy. We're not used to kids coming with so much baggage; that's more of an adult thing." 

As a single mom, Gayle went through a lot with Charlotte. "I didn't have any kids of my own because I didn't really like kids. I never even held a baby until I was 57. That's how I know it's a God thing."

It was not until Charlotte turned 18 that she began really trust and love Gayle. The reason for this change was actually through a turn of events with her birth mother.

After more than six years, Charlotte finally recognized all that Gayle was to her: a loving mother!

Today, at age 67, Gayle has six adopted children including Charlotte. Gayle's advice for others,

"Make a decision, don't look back and totally commit. If the door opens, you have to walk through. If you miss God's will, you'll never be happy or satisfied."

George and Beth have been hosting children with Safe Families since 2008. Their journey began when they decided to become foster parents to do respite care for other families.

After receiving their license, and waiting for the phone to ring, DCFS suggested they contact Safe Families. Within a couple of days, Beth and George welcomed their first placement.

Today, they are hosting their 29th child, a six month old boy named Vernon who came to the Drosts when he was only a few days old.

Beth keeps a scrapbook of all the little ones they have hosted over the years. "Each placement has been a real learning and growing experience."

Beth and George love nurturing each child entrusted in their care the same way their grandkids are loved on.

At 29 kids and counting, Beth had this to say,

"Just because you're a senior doesn't mean you sit around on a rocking chair. You have so much wisdom and experience - share it!"

More than 30 years have passed since Christina moved out of LYDIA's Residential Center. But the experiences she had there continue to touch her life in powerful ways.

Many of Christina's childhood memories are of chaos and violence. Her father, a mentally ill alcoholic, physically abused her, her siblings, and especially her mother.

"My dad treated us like property-he'd drag us out of bed at 2 a.m. and beat us for some perceived infraction," she says. "Normal to us was hiding from him and not having food in the house. My mom didn't protect us and was sometimes abusive herself. We had no structure or stability in our lives."

In moments of clarity, Christina's parents knew they needed help. When Christina was just four years old, her father opened up a phone book, found LYDIA under "child services," and dropped off all four children the next day.

At LYDIA, for the first time in her life, Christina felt safe and cared for.

"My house mom and the other LYDIA staff were gentle and kind," she says.

"We did normal things, like go to school and do chores. And I remember volunteers coming by with gifts and clothing. Sometimes, we'd even go to their house to do typical kid stuff, like play board games and eat Doritos! Those experiences helped me to see that 'wow, I do matter'! It made all the difference in the world."

Christina remembers a significant event from when she was just six years old. "My house mom came in and sat on my bed and talked to me about Jesus, and I prayed to receive Him as my Savior," she remembers.

"God knew I needed Him, and He became my strength."

When Christina was nine, she and her siblings left LYDIA and were placed in foster homes.

Today, Christina and her husband of 23 years have two daughters. Last fall, she and one of her brothers visited us at LYDIA, and she was amazed to feel that she was coming home.

"God used LYDIA to give me a foundation for my life, and I just want to thank all the staff and volunteers there who loved and cared for me," Christina says. "I don't know what I would have done without them."

With your gift of any amount, LYDIA will continue to be a place where kids like Christina feel safe and can thrive, despite the turmoil and scars of their past.

Click here to make your online gift or schedule a recurring donation. Mail your contribution to LYDIA at 4300 Irving Park Rd. in Chicago, 60641.

Thank you for partnering with us at LYDIA as we continue to be a safe haven for kids in need!

Sincerely,

David Anderson, PsyD

Executive Director

When Jessica was just three years old and living in Chicago, her father kidnapped her — along with his three other children — and moved to Ecuador. A few years later, he returned to the United States with them, settling in New York City.

Jessica was in first grade when school officials somehow discovered what her father had done, and she and her siblings were returned to Chicago. There, because Jessica’s mother wasn’t in a position to care for them, they became wards of the state.

Jessica and one of her brothers were placed at LYDIA Residential Treatment Center. She remembers the first few days as being surreal. “I didn’t understand what I was doing there, and I didn’t speak English very well so it was hard to communicate,” says Jessica, now 30. “At the same time, I was surrounded by kids, and that was exciting.”

Jessica had both happy and sad times at LYDIA, but remembers feeling safe and cared for.

“I liked all of my house parents at LYDIA, but one stands out,” she explains.

“I used to sleepwalk a lot, and she would stay up with me and we’d talk. Also, the staff took us to church regularly. I became a Christian at LYDIA, and I think that has helped me through life.”

After almost three years at LYDIA, Jessica lived with two different foster families. At the age of 17, she began emancipating herself from state guardianship, a task that was made easier because she had earned a college scholarship.

Today, Jessica is living in Chicago and working as a receptionist. She keeps in touch with her siblings and sees her parents occasionally.

Jessica is also a mom, now—last year, her six-year old son attended LYDIA’s Learn and Care Preschool, which she says gave him a great start educationally.

“It’s been a long time since I lived at LYDIA, but I still know people who work there and I feel a connection,” she explained.

“I really appreciate what LYDIA did for me when I was little.”

The odds were stacked against Robert from day one. During childbirth, he was deprived of oxygen for over 30 minutes, which caused profound brain damage.

Doctors had only dire predictions: he would never be able to show any emotion, speak or walk. They said he would probably no survive past his first birthday.

But God said, “Be still and know that I am God.”

Robert’s biological mom abandoned him. When Robert was two months old, he was placed with Edie Aardsma, a long-time Safe Families volunteer. Edie ignored the doomsday predictions. She prayed daily, that he would be happy and know he was loved. 

Robert, now five years old, has had many seizures and breathing issues. Doctors said he would probably not survive, and once again, God said, “Yes, I have plans to prosper you and not harm you…to give you hope and a future… I am the Great Physician.”

Today, Edie is Robert’s legal guardian, providing round the clock care for a little boy she describes as "perfect just the way he is."

The road has not been easy from a medical standpoint. Robert has spent more than 250 days in the hospital. He’s undergone 14 surgeries and has a permanent tracheostomy (breathing tube). He can’t eat or speak, he doesn’t see very well. And he can’t move his arms or legs.

But despite all that, Robert is a joy, says Edie, with a smile that lights up the room…a smile that assures her that God is carrying out His plans in Robert’s life. He loves to snuggle, listen to books and spend time with his many visitors, which include other Safe Families kids.

Today, Robert’s doctors and nurses — many of whom gave up on him as a baby — see a happy little boy with a lot of personalities. They now understand that although Robert can’t do much, he enjoys life and has a lot to give.

During one recent hospitalization, a physician approached Edie with tears in her eyes. “I was there when Robert was hospitalized at 6 months old,” she said. “I didn’t think he would pull through. I want to apologize—I will never again underestimate what love can do.”

Edie says that Robert is living proof of God’s power.

“You just can’t help but fall in love with Robert,” she says. “Nobody looks at him and says, ‘poor baby,’ they say ‘that little boy is amazing!’ I’m so thankful to be his mommy, and my prayer is that God will continue to use Robert for His glory.”

At LUA we don’t see our graduation as just a typical graduation, we see it as a moment of triumph for our students.

In January, we were able to be a part of that triumph for five LUA students. Each student entered LUA with their own set of difficulties and issues that brought them to us in the first place.

At graduation, each student stood proudly before family, friends, and LUA staff sharing memories and giving thanks to those who helped them succeed before receiving their high school diploma.

For those five students, that was a moment they never thought they would experience before coming to LUA.

By God’s grace (and help from the great LUA staff), they walked away from that stage with hope. They had done it, they graduated high school!!

We want to offer a huge congratulations to all five of those GRADUATES. We are more than proud of you and know that this is only the beginning of a bright future for you. 

After months of hardship, Dorothy and Jamar were in a desperate situation. God led them to Safe Families, and what a difference a two-week placement made in their lives! Dorothy and Jamar's story began about three years ago when she became his guardian.

In March 2010, she and Jamar moved from Chicago to Indianapolis, along with Dorothy's daughter and three grandchildren. The plan was to find work as quickly as possible and get a fresh start. But as so often happens in this economy, work was hard to come by.

Eventually, the family fell behind on utility bills, then rent. One grandson moved in with a friend, and Dorothy's daughter and her other kids returned to Chicago. Dorothy and Jamar were on their own. Dorothy sought help at several homeless shelters, but that wasn't a good solution-shelters are overcrowded in Indianapolis, and very few can accommodate children.

For a couple of weeks, the Children's Bureau took care of Jamar. When Dorothy asked them for help a second time, staff members graciously referred her to Safe Families. 

Dorothy called us at 2 p.m. one day in October, and by dinnertime, Jamar was at the home of Safe Families volunteers, Steve and Allison Hanscom.

"Safe Families was a lifesaver," says Dorothy today. "The stress of our situation was really getting to me. Everyone with Safe Families was so nice, and even though I was nervous about someone else taking care of Jamar, I felt good about my decision." 

Jamar fit right in with the Hanscoms, whose three children are four, seven, and eight years old. He stayed with them for two weeks, during which time Dorothy found an apartment, applied for assistance, and met with a jobs counselor.

For the last few weeks, she's been working for a catering company. She is hoping to begin taking more assignments soon, after her daughter moves back here from Chicago, in part to help care for Jamar. 

Thank you for your support of LYDIA, which helps make stories like this possible!