A traumatic incident at school changed the trajectory of Katherine*’s son’s life, and with it, their family’s stability. The situation demanded Katherine’s full attention – court appearances, meetings with school officials, and supporting her son’s recovery consumed her days.
When Morgan*’s twelve-year-old daughter was diagnosed with leukemia in August, it coincided with a period of unemployment for her husband. The timing forced both parents to miss work, straining an already precarious financial situation.
When Rebecca’s* child was born in March, what should have been a time of joy became a period of mounting uncertainty. Without paid maternity leave, she faced three months without income, disrupting the careful payment arrangement she had established with her landlord.
When Erica’s* daughter needed multiple dental and medical procedures over the summer, the timing seemed ideal. Her daughter, who has Down syndrome, could recover without missing school. However, the sequence of necessary procedures – tooth extractions, ear tubes, a sleep study, and adenoid removal – required more time off work than Erica’s remaining paid leave could cover.
A house fire marked the beginning of a challenging period for Caryn and her family. While they continued living in their damaged home, fate dealt another blow – Caryn was struck by a car, leaving her temporarily unable to work.
For Astrid, a home health aide and single mother, the delicate balance of work and childcare rested on predictable daytime hours. This stability was upended when her client passed away and her employer could only offer overnight shifts – a schedule impossible to maintain without access to overnight childcare.
The path to safety often comes with unexpected obstacles. For Ramona*, a mother of a three-year-old daughter, the biggest barrier wasn’t finding the courage to leave an abusive situation—it was securing the funds needed to establish a new home. Like many caregivers in similar circumstances, her primary concern wasn’t her own safety, but her ability to protect her child.
Legal protections can provide a framework for safety, but they can’t always guarantee it. For Sage*, this reality became clear even after obtaining a Protection From Abuse order (PFA).
Talia* found the strength to make a decision that would change her life and the lives of her children. After enduring years of abuse, she took the courageous step of leaving her abusive partner.
In the wake of intimate partner violence, Sloane*, a young mother, found herself at a crossroads.