This York County mother’s focus is her children. Holiday Partners offers helping hand

Sometimes plans made with the best of intentions don’t work. Just ask this single mother.

At the encouragement of her children’s father two years ago, she and her children moved from her hometown of Orangeburg to Rock Hill. She said she believed the move would give the family a fresh start and her children better educational opportunities.

After some months in an extended stay hotel, they moved into a three-bedroom apartment with room for the two adults, three children and another little one who soon would be born. But she says the unexpected pregnancy fractured an already fragile relationship.

The baby was born, the couple split, and the rent went unpaid.

The mother, who is not named to protect her identity, now with five children – ages 15, 10, 7, 4, and 1, was homeless. She struggled to survive on the small amount of money she made each month as a personal care assistant.

Since June, the family has moved from hotel to hotel. They spent one night in their storage unit because they couldn’t afford a room.

Still, her children thrive.

The oldest child is active in high school. Her 10-year-old is doing well. Her seven year old is finally getting help with some learning issues. Her four-year-old tested out of a regular preschool program, and goes to school a couple of hours each day to prepare for kindergarten. Her youngest is enrolled in an early Head Start program.

It was through one of her children’s elementary schools that she was introduced to ParentSMART, a parent education program that links parents to a number of different resources for help with all sorts of parenting and family challenges. That’s where she found out about the Holiday Partners program.

Holiday Partners is sponsored by United Way of York County in partnership with OTX Media/WRHI (AM 1340) Radio Station’s Toys for Happiness Program and The Herald’s Empty Stocking Fund.

The Herald asks its readers to make monetary donations to The Empty Stocking Fund.

Last year donations to these organizations helped ensure that 1,800 area children found presents under their tree on Christmas morning.

This Christmas, the youngest child will be added to that list. Her 15-year-old is too old for Holiday Partners, but has been placed on an Angel Tree and will get gifts.

In the process of registering for Holiday Partners, she also was referred to several other agencies, and now is on the waiting list for transitional housing. Until she gets a home, she hopes she can keep paying for a hotel room. Good Samaritans have covered some of the nights, but she doesn’t want to keep depending on others.

Once she gets in transitional housing, she plans to start saving money for a security deposit to get back in an apartment. She is enrolled in a GED class, and after she receives her certificate, she hopes to enroll in York Tech’s surgical tech program. She plans to provide a better life for herself and her children, but right now she’s struggling.

She says she’s worried about where her family will spend Christmas. But she’s thankful Holiday Partners will provide gifts.

Win to help?

To contribute to the Herald’s Empty Stocking Fund, the proceeds of which go to support Holiday Partners, send donations to United Way, P.O. Box 925, Rock Hill, SC 29731.

To volunteer for Holiday Partners, visit www.unitedwayofyc.org or call 803-324-2735.

Holiday Partners collects toys throughout December. Some drop off locations include WRHI, United Way of York County SC Office, and all York County YMCA locations. A complete list of drop off sites may be found at

www.wrhi.com/events/toys-for-happiness-2.

Donors

Here is the most recent list of Empty Stocking Fund donations:

Ms. Jane Gorman

Anonymous

Mr. and Mrs. Meredith Bynum

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Edwards

Mr. amd Mrs. Gerald Schapiro

Mr. amd Mrs. Dennis Harrington

Ms. Frances Nivens

Mr. amd Mrs. Tom Began

This story was originally published December 6, 2019 at 12:17 PM.