Help Norwalk neighbors for the holiday season

For the fifth year in a row, the Hour has partnered with Family & Children’s Agency for the Giving Fund. Each week on Thursdays and Sundays, The Hour will publish 10 stories of clients from FCA who need some help. The needs vary from school supplies and child care to home furnishings and groceries. Each story has a case number, and donations can be made at Family & Children’s Agency, Inc. - Acceptiva.

Donations can be designated to a specific case or to the general Client Support Fund at FCA.

The families and individuals mentioned in the stories often don’t know they have been submitted, and names have been changed to protect their privacy. Donations made in excess of a client’s need will go to the Client Support Fund to help others in need.

Each case in the Giving Fund includes an estimated dollar amount that would help a local person or family tackle everyday challenges such as rent payments, child care costs and transportation. Every dollar donated to the Giving Fund goes directly to the people in the stories, which will be published twice a week throughout the holiday season.

Here are Sunday’s stories:

225: Hugo is an amazing middle school student who takes care of his younger sisters when his mother attends FCA's after school program to keep his grades up. Despite his unstable home life, Hugo regularly attends the program and has a very positive attitude. Unfortunately, his only way of getting to FCA is a long walk, so he usually rides his bike, which recently broke. A gift of $300 would help him get a new bike so he can more easily get to the after-school program and continue focusing on his education.

mom 226: who Taylor lost is custody a single of her two children due to homelessness. She has been working extremely hard to get to a stable place so she can be with her daughters. She's finally getting an apartment where they can all live safely together, but she will need funds to furnish the space. A gift of $500 would help her buy beds so the girls can have a comfortable room in their new home.

227: Violet and her husband are the guardians of their two grandsons after doctors suspected they were victims of abuse. The family is working hard to educate themselves about the behaviors the children display due to the trauma they faced. Violet loves the children deeply, but the stress of the situation has taken a toll on her. Violet really needs to have the opportunity to focus on her own mental health so she can continue caring for the children. A gift of $250 would help her pay for counseling and trainings so she can continue to be the best provider possible for the kids.

228: Peter and Bridget are siblings in their 60s who recently lost their housing. Peter takes care of Bridget, who uses oxygen and has other medical issues. FCA was able to help them find a new place to live, but they need movers as they can't do it themselves. A gift of $500 would help them pay for moving costs so they move into their new safe, stable, housing.

229: Anthony had emergency surgery when his appendix burst and is now on the path to health. Unfortunately, with three children at home, Anthony's parents live paycheck to paycheck and medical bills will be a hardship. A gift of $400 would help them pay the bills from the hospital so they can focus on family over the holidays.