Miss S
“When I get settled in Georgia and there’s stability in my life, I know I will be able to pursue my dream to become an actress.” Growing up in family foster care, Miss S had minimal stability. Now at 25, she has two children, ages 4 and 5, and is 9 weeks pregnant. Under pressure to abort by an abusive partner, homeless, and recently laid off, Miss S was backed into a corner.
Miss S found her way to COLFS through another pregnancy help center and God, of course. After her ultrasound and an exam with Dr. Saroki, Miss S said, “This is the nicest doctor’s office I have ever been to.” It had been a long time since she smiled, and she was nervous because she felt a little crampy, so she wasn’t sure if she was miscarrying.
It was at her second visit, that Dr. Saroki asked me to spend a little time with Miss S and see how COLFS could help support her during this stressful time. True to COLFS mission, we were able to assist Miss S with transportation costs to the home of her older cousin in Georgia, who has two available bedrooms and the stable support that Miss S needs to finish her education and earn a living. Defying the odds that a young black single woman faces when she finds herself expecting a baby, Miss S is happy that she is still pregnant. The smile has returned to her face as she prepares to start a new life with family who cares and is able to help her.
R
What could have been a tragedy turned out to be an opportunity of neighborly love. R was pushing her baby in his stroller when a car hit them just as she reached the sidewalk. The force of contact knocked R over and the “little man” fell out. Neither one was injured, thank God, but the stroller was bent beyond repair. Unfortunately, this is an essential item for a single mom with no car. How else can a mom and son look for a job, attend school, and shop for groceries?
About two hours after R called to tell me what happened and ask if we had a stroller to donate, a friend of Dr. Saroki’s called saying he was just discharged from the Marines and wanted to know if there was anything he could offer in the way of time and/or talent. I couldn’t believe the perfect timing, but wanted to be respectful of his offer and not ask for too much. So I said, “Sir, it is very kind of you to offer to help us! We can use anything from a box of diapers to a stroller.” I proceeded to explain the story of R and how desperate she was to have a stroller.
He went to Toys R Us that day and put a stroller on layaway so he could pay for it when his final paycheck came in. The next day he came in with a box of diapers and helped me put labels on baby bottles. Talk about generous! When the stroller was paid off, I accompanied our volunteer to R’s house, and she was filled with gratitude. Not only did she receive a brand new stroller but a car seat, as well, so she can ride with others.
This is truly a story of love of neighbor. Not only had our COLFS volunteer performed his duty to serve America in the Marines, but he came home and served a single mom who could have been housebound without wheels. This is the priceless support we give to moms who can easily be persuaded to abort when they have so many situational obstacles.
