AGENCY: Care & Share of East Lyme

WHO: Joseph, age 38, and Chloe, age 32, and their three children ages 13, 9, and 18 months

THEIR SITUATION: Joseph and Chloe have been together for 14 years, struggling with mental health issues, loss, addiction, and homelessness. Joseph recently injured his hand, then lost his job, and is now waiting for unemployment. “Our family just fell apart when my grandmother died; then my mother. I try to stay positive for my kids,” says Chloe. “We take nothing for granted. We want to be independent.” 

WHAT TO GIVE: Right now, financial support is most critical. “We need to get the car repaired,” says Chloe. “We need clothes. And we have fallen behind with our rent and all our bills.” Gift cards to Walmart and Target, grocery gift cards to TriTown and Stop & Shop, even simple things like socks and personal care items. (Care & Share is sponsoring the children.)

HOW TO GIVE: Checks and gift cards may be sent to Care & Share of East Lyme, attention Gayle Booth, P.O. Box 114, East Lyme, CT, 06333. Checks made out to Care & Share, with Make A Difference in the memo. Gifts may be dropped off at the Care & Share Food Pantry, 12 Roxbury Road, Niantic. Call (860) 739-8502 for hours.