Carol is a 28 year old mother of three. She left Madison for a safer neighborhood, reasonable rent and a strong school. Her partner works full-time in Madison at $13/hour and he must leave the house each day by 4 am.
Carol has attempted to work several jobs but is unable to keep them because of her mental health condition. She has been denied disability and because she is unable to maintain a job, must search out resources to help them make ends meet during this difficult time.
Carol and her family are actively enrolled in AWARE programs. The help they receive through AWARE allows them to provide for their children but focus their income on monthly household expenses such as rent, utilities and gasoline.
Through AWARE’s relationships within the community, Carol’s family celebrated a joyful Christmas with dinner, toys, clothing, books and more. They experienced the excitement of searching for eggs on Easter morning and were treated to a ham dinner through AWARE’s partnership with the Knights of Columbus. Working with the City, AWARE was able to provide the children with splash time and fun at the local pool with free swim passes.
AWARE’s partnership with Second Harvest provided weekly food distributions of kid-friendly nutritious foods to Carol’s children. Through a partnership with Edgerton Outreach and the money raised by AWARE volunteers through the Salvation Army kettle campaign, Carol’s family received assistance for their electric bill, avoiding a disconnect.
As a Salvation Army service unit, AWARE was able to send one of Carol’s sons to camp for a week, a treasured childhood experience often missed by low-income children. He so enjoyed it that he’s talked his younger brother into going next year.
Carol and other low-income parents know they can access warm winter coats, boots, blankets, etc. through AWARE’s Koats for Kids program made possible by a partnership with BMO Harris Bank and Lake Mills Dry Cleaners. Through AWARE’s partnership with local businesses and churches, they can receive free school supplies to help reduce their children’s anxiety and maximize their learning potential at the start of the new school year.
Carol is able to receive free personalized birthday cakes for her children through AWARE’ Cakes for Kids program, a partnership between AWARE and local bakers who wish to make birthdays extra special for low-income children. Free fun at the annual Week of the Young Child celebration enables Carol’s children to receive free eye screening and enroll in a variety of free activities within the community. The celebration is made possible by a partnership with Evansville schools, local day cares and the Exchange Family Resource Center.