Ira's Story

Meet Ira, an 8-year-old boy who loves building marble runs, going fishing with his mom, and exploring the world of science. Ira’s curiosity is contagious, and his face lights up with every new discovery. His brother, Israel, is 6 and can’t wait to show off his latest Lego creations or race his toy cars around the living room. Their little sister, Aisha, just 1 year old, has a sweet spot for Elmo and her big brothers. 

Not long ago, Ira, Israel, and Aisha's lives were turned upside down when their mom, Mindy, fled an unsafe relationship to start over in Lincoln. Facing homelessness, they turned to a local shelter for refuge. There, they eventually found safety in a home of their own, but it was just the beginning of their journey. 

With no family nearby and in a town that was still unfamiliar to her, Mindy reached out to CEDARS for help. Our team has been alongside Mindy and her children every step of the way, providing support, resources, and guidance to help them heal and rebuild. Whether it’s helping Mindy gain new parenting skills, finding community doctors for the children, or connecting her to job opportunities and local school programs, CEDARS is here for families like hers. 

Mindy has been making great progress towards providing her kids the life she always wanted. However, as the holidays got closer, she was worried she wouldn't be able to give them any gifts. Our community stepped up to provide the entire family with items off their wish list. Their gifts were wrapped and delivered, and we can't wait to hear about the cheer they brought to their celebration!

Your support ensures that we can continue to provide safety, stability, and hope to children and families who need it most. Thank you for being a part of their story and for making the holidays brighter for kids like Ira, Israel, and Aisha.