When five children suddenly needed a safe place to call home, Gail didn’t hesitate to open both her heart and her home, even though she wasn’t sure how she would make it work.
The children were the grandchildren of a close friend whom Gail had been helping for years. After their grandmother passed away, the family became homeless, and child welfare officials reached out to Gail. Although she had no legal relationship with the children, their mother trusted Gail to provide the love, stability, and care they desperately needed.
“I had no idea how I was going to take care of these kids,” Gail shared. “But sometimes you don’t know where God is going to put you or why He’s preparing you.”
Living on a fixed income, Gail, as their temporary legal guardian, knew her two-bedroom apartment wasn’t large enough for a family of six. She wanted to keep the siblings together but worried about how she could afford a larger home, a security deposit, and moving expenses.
That’s when she connected with Eckerd Connects Family Services.
From the moment she walked through the doors, Gail says she felt supported. Staff members guided her through the application process, answered her questions, and encouraged her every step of the way. With financial assistance, Gail was able to move into a home where the children could have the stability they deserved.
More than the financial support, Gail says it was the kindness and encouragement she received that gave her the confidence to move forward.
“Eckerd made me feel like I wasn’t alone. Even though I felt like I couldn’t do it, they made me feel like I could.”
Now, nine months later, Gail continues caring for the children while balancing the joys and challenges of raising a busy household. She describes herself as a little protective and a little strict, but above all, she wants the children to know they are loved and safe.
Looking back, Gail says she couldn’t have made this journey alone.
Through Gail’s compassion and the support of Eckerd Connects, five children found more than a house—they found a home filled with love, stability, and hope for the future.
