WHO: Elizabeth and her family

AGENCY: Reliance Health Inc.

HER SITUATION: Elizabeth is a 33-year-old woman who struggles with major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. She and her family are dealing with mold-related issues in their current housing and are working toward moving to a nicer, safer place to live. She and her husband have been together over seven years and live with his teenage son. The family focuses on remaining housed, as mom and dad have each experienced homelessness in the past and do not want this for their son. Their son suffers from some cognitive maturation delays and functions at slightly younger age than his peers. He does not qualify for Christmas programs due to his age. The family desires to make their next apartment a safe, happy and comfortable home.

WHAT TO GIVE:

• Mom: clothes like socks, jeans (size depends on the jeans, between size 1 and 5 - the looser the fit the smaller the jean), gel pens for coloring, office supplies for budgeting.
• Dad: winter jacket (size XL or 2XL), pair of professional shoes (preferred color black) size 10½-11. Dad likes art supplies and biking. Sneakers, bike gadgets and art supplies would be a nice surprise.
• Son, 17: jacket (2XL or 3XL, color black), socks, jeans for work and school (he likes picking out his own style), help with getting his driver's license (a gift certificate to driving school or a driver's ed book), game or toy that would be appropriate for 12+.
• Family: cleaning supplies, food donations, gas cards, hygiene products, bicycle repair parts or other items that would make an apartment a home.

TO DONATE: Contact Cori Gallagher, director of the Reliance Health Supportive Housing Program at (860) 887-6536, ext. 350. Deliveries should be made to Cori Gallagher at Supportive Housing, 2 Cliff St., Norwich, 06360.