WHO: Hope, age 35, her 12-year-old son and three daughters ages 11, 6 and 5.

AGENCY: Care & Share of East Lyme, serving neighbors in Niantic, East Lyme and Salem since 1989.

THEIR SITUATION: At 22, Hope had earned her associate degree in architecture with honors and started her career, but she was pregnant and was unable to find an architectural design job. Having a love of children, Hope spent the next 13 years balancing work and family, and budgeting her funds carefully. Since becoming a single mother, she faced many hardships but continued to make ends meet by being thrifty and determined. She even made her own laundry detergent. Now unemployed, Hope is actively searching for the right job that fits both her schedule and that of her four children, who are now school-aged. Hope's long-term goal is to get a bachelor's degree in architecture.

WHAT TO GIVE: Hope would like to take her children shopping for clothes and toys. Their likes are fashion, music, the arts, and creative, science-related projects. Most of all, they love spending time together doing family activities. Gift cards to Old Navy, Walmart, Target and grocery stores, phone cards, gas vouchers, certificates, or any others that would benefit their interests would be greatly appreciated.

TO DONATE: Checks made out to Care & Share. Donations should be marked for "Make a Difference" and mailed to Care and Share of East Lyme, Attn: Norm Bender, P.O. Box 114, East Lyme, CT 06333. Or call (860) 739-8502.