Make a Difference

Who: A 38-year-old mother and her three children, ages 15, 12 and 6.

Agency: WARM Center, Westerly. The 29-year-old social services agency offers care and service to the homeless and those in need by providing affordable housing and supportive services and helping clients move toward independent living. WARM has 12 programs whose focuses range from emergency, transitional and permanent housing to community critical needs, community soup kitchen and job training.

Her situation: The mother works 30 hours a week at a local retail store, at minimum wage and with no benefits. She was barely getting by raising three children alone. But when one of her children became very sick, things got much worse. She was forced to take time off from work, and she lost badly needed income, just as medical bills began to arrive in the mail. She is struggling to pay the rent, utility expenses and other basic needs. She is working with local social services agencies and other resources that provide case management.

What to give: She would be grateful for anything for her children for Christmas and to help her with basic household needs. Wal-Mart, J.C. Penney's, or Stop & Shop gift cards would be particularly appreciated.

To donate: Contact the WARM Center at (401) 596-9276.