Everyday Needs and Dreams Brings Stability

When “Marni” entered the child protection system, it didn’t take long for her grandma to step forward. She’d been bonding with grandma since birth, so her house immediately felt like a home.

Even so, it’d be a challenge. Having already raised her now adult children, grandma couldn’t have imagined starting over with a toddler. She was still adjusting to life with the 3-year-old when a leaky furnace put their future at risk.

When grandma learned what a replacement would cost, she felt “anxious, overwhelmed, defeated.” And adding to that dread was the reality that without a quick fix, Marni could be placed into foster care.

ProKids knew that disrupting stability wasn’t the answer, that removing her from grandma would only cause trauma. So, with the help of our Everyday Needs and Dreams Fund and the generosity of Arlinghaus, a family-owned home repair company, we mobilized. Arlinghaus offered not just a furnace but an AC and water heater at cost. They would donate their labor, and ProKids would cut a check. Grandma was “overwhelmed with joy and happiness” to hear it!

She’s grateful to be able to care for Marni later in life but expressed it takes a village at times. As a ProKids donor, she wants you to know you’re part of that network. “It helps out a lot,” she said, “and it does provide that stability for the child.”

If you’d like to help families like Marni’s, visit our wishlist to see how you can make a difference: https://prokids.org/donate/wishlist/