When a teen becomes the family’s sole breadwinner

Leslie didn’t want to put too much pressure on her teenage son, Justin, because he was still in high school. But what choice did she have?

Leslie’s husband, Mark, had been working and paying the bills. But last year, he got very sick and lost his job. Under different circumstances, Leslie would have returned to work. But she was unable to even look for a job because of her own serious health issues.

That left Justin as the only other breadwinner in the family. But how could one young man possibly earn enough to cover the cost of rent, a car payment, utilities, and other basic expenses? Leslie did the only thing she could think of: She turned to God.

“I prayed that the Lord would continue to guide us and help us make the right decisions for our family,” she remembers. And God answered that prayer by leading Leslie and her family to Metropolitan Ministries last year right before Christmas.

Because of the generosity of friends like you, this struggling family not only received food for Christmas dinner, but while visiting our Holiday Tent, found out about rent and utility assistance that’s now helping them get back on their feet.

“I’m so thankful for the help we
received…I will be forever grateful.”

Each year, families come to our Holiday Tent with all sorts of needs. For some, it’s food to help them get through the holidays. For others, it’s toys so their children have presents to unwrap on Christmas morning.

And then there are families like Leslie’s, who more than anything need a strategy for moving past the difficulties that life has thrown at them.

As long as this ministry is supported by faithful friends like you, we will always have the resources to help all these families — at Christmastime and throughout the year. You are the reason hope is here.

Thank you, and God bless you for all you do to brighten the holidays for those who are in deep need!