A single mother of two disabled children with nowhere to go and no one to turn to, Tracy was determined to get a grip on her circumstances and make the best for her family. That’s what life was like for this young woman before she came to Project SHARE.

Meet Tracy.

It was during the first couple of years after she and her husband separated, when she had to start living alone with her kids, that having Project SHARE as a resource was such a big relief to her. With the separation, “everything got turned upside down and it was very difficult to cope with the situation.”

It was through the Emergency Food Program that she first received help. She knew there was nothing wrong with asking for help, but it was just getting up the courage to make that first step.

Like all proud moms, there’s an excitement in her voice when she talks about her children. Her son has been diagnosed with the ADHD and her daughter was born with Cerebral Palsy. As anyone in a similar circumstance knows, it takes a very special parent to deal with the health issues of two special needs children on a full-time basis. Tracy had no hesitation talking about the anxiety and depression issues she deals with herself. When Tracy came in for help at Project SHARE, she became aware of the volunteer program available. From that point, she made a vow to try and give back as much as she can.

When she can, Tracy volunteers at fundraising events and other activities at Project SHARE. Aside from volunteering, she believes that she will go back to school again in the near future.

These days she says she’s “comfortable” financially. She owns her home and is able to drive. A stark contrast from when she first visited Project SHARE. “This place has enabled me to get back on my feet again. Now when I come in to volunteer, everyone I see says hi and you feel like part of the family. My children and I are very fortunate to have found Project SHARE at a time in our lives when we really needed it.”