APRIL 15, 2017
Jennifer Alejos
“I’m a single mom and it’s hard. People like me are trying to get ahead.”
Emma talks excitedly about her day in front of her two older siblings, Emily and Erica. Every day, the girls enjoy a Kids Café meal and conversation as a family at their community center.
Their mother, Imelda is a single parent who bears sole responsibility for all three girls.
Imelda is a single parent that works full-time and isn’t available to pick up her children when the school bell rings. She appreciates the Kids Café program because it narrows the food gap between recess and dinner time.
“It’s a true blessing to know they will at least have a meal waiting for them,” she says.
“I can concentrate at work knowing that they aren’t hungry,” she continues, “If they didn’t have these meals, my kids wouldn’t have the energy to play after school.”
Imelda lives on a tight budget and often has to cook meals that she can stretch for the week. She’s able to make beef stew that she can warm up a few days a week. She also makes protein-rich meals such as chicken with rice and beans for sides.
“I’m a single mom and it’s hard. People like me are trying to get ahead,” she says.
Imelda hopes to be able to go back to school in a few years to finish her education. Two years ago, she graduated as Valedictorian of her class at Good Careers Academy where she completed her medical assistant certification. This accomplishment is very special to Imelda since her graduation made it possible for another single mother to receive a scholarship to attend school.
Until she can go back to school, Imelda is trying to focus on her family of four. For once in a long time, she feels secure with their living situation. She credits the Kids Café program for helping her and her daughters have room in their budget for more meals.
“I’m so thankful for this program because it helps me and my children stay afloat.”