In February of 2010, I stood in a small room in rural Ethiopia. On the opposite side of the room stood the birth mother of the young boy my husband and I had traveled thousands of miles to adopt. She had walked for two days to meet with us and participate in this special ceremony. The room was dim, and she held a lit white candle. We also held a candle. At the appropriate moment, she slowly walked toward us and lit our candle, and then blew out her own. With this symbolism she transferred her parental rights to us, after sharing through interpreters her hopes and dreams for the child she had chosen to give up. What love – what courage – what sacrifice for the future of her child!

It was in that moment that my journey began to commit my life and career to the care of children experiencing trauma. My 2-year-old son had already endured more trauma than most ever will – he was born in a dirt floor hut, in a rural Ethiopian village, with his mother giving birth to him by herself- no family or no medial staff were with her. After two years of raising him within her family of five, she made the courageous decision to leave him in a care center in Addis Ababa to ensure him a better life. I cannot even imagine the hurt in his heart as he watched his mother leave him and walk away forever! This is where we met him, finalized the adoption, and took him from his native country to an unknown land and culture.

He had no language when we brought him home, and the next months and years would involve educational intervention services for him. We were blessed to be able to provide him with educational programs that he needed when traditional public-school opportunities were difficult and not the right fit for his needs. Today, he is a thriving sixteen-year- old Junior in High School, with a goal of attending the Naval Academy and a dream of becoming a naval aviator. His life is a testament to how love and opportunity can overcome traumatic beginnings! His Ethiopian mom’s photo holds a prominent place on the bookshelf in his bedroom next to the single candle from the ceremony. It is a constant reminder of her hopes and dreams for him and I know that she would be so proud!

While my journey led me to Ethiopia to become a mom committed to helping my son overcome the traumatic experiences of his early life, it also led me to my position to lead this amazing organization and our commitment to help young children and their families prevent and overcome the traumatic effects of homelessness and poverty. Each day, mothers facing traumatic circumstances bring their children through our doors – they are handing us their candle –sharing with us the hopes and dreams they have for their children and a request for help and support to see their children grow and develop and overcome the trauma they have endured in their early years of life! Just as I was able to watch trauma be replaced by love, caring, and amazing results for my son, I am committed that all children that enter our doors receive the same care, loving environment, and foundation for success in school and in life – and YOU can join us to give them back what trauma and homelessness have robbed them of.

During this holiday season, YOU can provide the light to the darkness of a homeless child’s life. Your gift makes the difference by providing the funding necessary to – rewire brains, repair hearts, and restore families! As we enter 2024, your gift also allows us to spread light to even MORE children and their families as we open the doors to two additional facilities.

“Good people are like candles; they burn themselves up to give others light!”

Thank you for being THE light- the one single candle – for our kids!”