Kayโs story of resilience in the face of adversity and trauma is a powerful example of Godโs work through Christian Heritage. Our passion is helping vulnerable families find connection and belonging by mobilizing local churches.
That’s what her story is all about.
Kay grew up in Omaha as the youngest of seven children and often played the role of โmomโ to her nieces and nephews. Both of Kayโs parents are diabetic. She and her siblings all have various mental and physical health struggles. When she was just 15, she lost her father to diabetes.
Kay is now a single mom to her three-year-old son, Sky. She longs for consistent and dependable people in her life. But strained relationships with her siblings, coupled with her own mental and physical health struggles, have made that difficult. Skyโs father is addicted to meth and has never been a part of Skyโs life.
In her effort to find the connection she needed, Kay moved in with her sister. But her sister had been grappling with severe mental health problems. Eventually, Kay decided to move again, but she had nowhere to go. That left her and Sky homeless for a short period. Then, just 18 months ago, Kay and Sky moved to Lincoln to be closer to Skyโs grandmother and aunt on his fatherโs side. But those relationships didnโt blossom as she hoped.
It seemed everywhere Kay turned to find deep and meaningful connections led to rejection and disappointment. It meant that both Kay and Sky were failing to flourish.
Finding connection made all the difference
Once Kay arrived in Lincoln, she started a short-term counseling program at another non-profit organization. She quickly realized that to find healing she couldnโt keep parenting Sky alone. The organization knew about our Families Together program and referred Kay to us.
We connected Kay to a host home for Sky so he didnโt have to enter foster care. It gave Kay the gift of time to continue her therapy, get the proper medications, and pursue stabilityโand Sky was safe.
That was just the beginning. Since that initial hosting, Kayโs been paired with two mentors, Brooke and Susan, who attend one of our partner churches. Brooke and Susan are also vital to Skyโs growth and development as loving, trusted adults.
โWe have received unconditional support, encouragement, hope, and love through this program,โ Kay said. โI have regained the fight to not only keep going but to thrive!โ
Kayโs words remind us that despite her adversity and trauma, God is pleased to write a new story for her and Sky. Their story isnโt over yet and itโs impossible to imagine what God will do next in their lives.
Of course, Kay and Skyโs situation is not unique. Families across our state and country experience an extreme lack of connection, which compounds their mental, physical, and spiritual obstacles. When that happens, flourishing is nearly impossible.
That is why Christian Heritage exists. We stand in the gap to connect vulnerable people to a gospel-centered community. As Godโs people enter the most broken situations, Jesus writes a new story of connection, redemption, and healing.
Will you join us in helping vulnerable families flourish?
You are an essential part of fulfilling this mission. Through your prayers and generosity, we can make flourishing a reality for struggling families.
Contact us today to care for a vulnerable child or consider giving a gift to Christian Heritage to help us advance our mission.
