When most families were conserving resources and limiting extended family gatherings because of COVID-19, Keywanna and her husband opened their hearts and home to care for five nieces and nephews, in addition to their two biological children.
Keywanna’s siblings both experienced life-altering health circumstances, making caring for their own children extremely difficult. Her brother is on dialysis; her sister is relearning daily tasks after suffering a stroke. And though Keywanna’s resilient mother could probably handle raising her grandkids, Keywanna stepped in to offer support.
Then the pandemic hit and both she and her husband were out of work and needed to figure out how they were going to care for their family of nine. “I was fine before we got hit with this. I’m used to having what we need, but I’m not afraid to ask for help – I have a family and I’m going to do what I have to do.”
Keywanna has found support and resources at a variety of local programs, including financial support to ensure she stays in her home, help with career readiness and job placement, and food assistance at her local food pantry.
Without the food pantry, “We would struggle. My family would suffer, we’d have more stress and we wouldn’t know how we were going to put food on the table. This place makes a difference. I learned what doesn’t break you makes you stronger.”