Giving Local Kids Hope: Meet Isaac, Kristen, and Kylie
Hungry. Lonely. Tired. Judged. Hopeless. For some kids, growing up isn’t easy. Challenges can begin before they even step into school for the first time. But at United Way we believe that every child – our community’s kids – deserve to have the support they need to reach their full potential.
Meet Isaac, Kylie, and Kristen. Three phenomenal young people who bravely stepped forward to tell their real stories of how getting help, support and guidance from School Case Managers and mentors made all the difference for them and their families. This is the change you create when you give to United Way. Your support helps give kids like Isaac, Kylie, and Kristen go from hopelessness and worry to dreams and confidence.
Meet Issac.
When he started kindergarten last fall at Osgood Elementary School in West Fargo, he was struggling to keep up and fit in. His parents knew something was wrong, but with trying to keep up with rent, bills, and their other children, they were losing hope. Thanks to people like you who support United Way, Isaac connected with Katelyn, a School Case Manager made possible by United Way. Thanks to her help and support, he was diagnosed with Autism and his family was provided
education on how to support him. They received a scholarship for quality after-school care and help with food to make sure their basic needs where met and they could focus on providing Isaac the support he needed.
Now, instead of being hungry, lonely, and overwhelmed, Isaac is making friends and learning about his favorite things – animals. Thanks to help from United Way, Isaac has a future filled with hope and possibility.
Meet Kylie.
After struggling with homelessness and spending most of her life without a positive mentor, Kylie often felt overwhelmed and hopeless. After meeting her School Case Manager, Maddie, at Carl Ben Eileson Middle School in Fargo, Kylie started to re-engage in school and see a more hopeful future for herself. Thanks to help and support provided by United Way, she is working on her relationships with her family and positive ways to express her feelings. She sees her strength, worth, and potential.
Meet Kristen.
Imagine being 18 years old and moving to our community with just a backpack on your shoulders and no adults to lean on for support and guidance. Kristen had lost both of her parents and was doing her best to get by in this world – alone. At Moorhead High School she met Amy who became a mentor, friend, and pillar of support – connecting her to resources to make sure she had enough food to eat, clothes to wear, and most importantly hope for her future.
By investing and working together, we can change the futures of more of our community’s children like Isaac, Kylie, and Kristen. Imagine being just 19, 15, or 7 years old and sharing your story of perseverance and resiliency. These young people did their part. We challenge you – our community – to take their message and share it. Be their voice. Don’t let their bravery stop here. Share their stories and inspire others to give so United Way can help our community’s kids reach their full potential.
Watch and share the video on YouTube.
Learn more about how United Way is providing hope and help to students in our local schools.