PRESS CHRISTMAS FOR ALL: Young mom works toward better life

As part of the annual Press Christmas for All campaign, we share with readers the stories of those have received help from the program. This is one of them.

After a tumultuous childhood, 26-year-old “Daphne” is the first person in her family to break the cycle of generational poverty and neglect.

“All of my siblings are either on the streets or in jail because f how we grew up,” she said. “I went a different route. I decided to get my life together, get married and have a family.”

Daphne and her husband are raising their young daughters in Coeur d’Alene and working to give them the stable foundation that Daphne didn’t have when she was growing up.

But despite Daphne working part-time while enrolled at North Idaho College and her husband working a full-time job, they’re struggling to make ends meet. Daphne said she believes this tough time is temporary.

“This is how we change our lives,” she said. “When I am finished with school and I am working in a career I have wanted to be in since I was little, I can provide for my family and we won’t have to struggle as much.”

Daphne is taking prerequisite classes to enter the nursing program at NIC and has maintained a 4.0 GPA. Being a nurse has been her dream since she was a child helping to care for her younger siblings.

“I want to be a labor and delivery nurse,” she said. “I want to help moms bring their babies into the world and watch moms and dads start their families or continue to grow them.”

After a recommendation from the NIC Center for New Directions, Christmas for All paid for repairs and new tires for Daphne’s vehicle. This gift will help her travel safely and reliably between work, school and home and ease one financial burden shouldered by a young family working toward a better life.

Center for New Directions staff described Daphne as helpful and encouraging.

“She has such a heart for everyone,” one staff member told Christmas for All. “She is determined to have an amazing life and is doing all the steps to get there.”

Each year, Press readers donate generously to Press Christmas for All. Every penny raised is distributed to Kootenai County residents. All overhead costs are covered by The Hagadone Corp.

The gift recipients are our neighbors who are struggling, including the elderly, people with disabilities, veterans, the homeless and those with mental illnesses. Many who seek assistance from Christmas for All are working, but living in poverty.

Beneficiaries of Press Christmas for All keep their dignity while the community provides a hand-up to help get them back on their feet.

Press Christmas for All is managed by The Hagadone Corp., with assistance from CharityReimagined.Org. Christmas for All is a legally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Here are four ways to donate:

• Mail a check to Press Christmas for All, 215 N. Second St., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

• Call The Press and make a secure credit card donation over the phone: 208-664-8176

• Visit cdapress.com. Click on Christmas for All 2023 and make a secure, online donation.

• Drop off your check at The Press weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.: 215 N. Second St. in downtown Coeur d'Alene.