Following her husband's death, Jayden was faced with being the sole supporter for her family of three school-aged children and an infant. She was fortunate that she had a job. But with the expenses of day care, clothing, school supplies and medications for a child with health issues, she began to feel she just couldn't make it.

Depression set in, her older teen began getting in trouble at school and life seemed overwhelming.

Jayden turned to alcohol and it wasn't long before her kids were fighting, school grades were suffering and Jayden was late getting to work.

Fortunately, her boss knew United Way had services to help. Jayden called Information & Referral Services which immediately connected her and the children to counseling services, budgeting help, truancy and family mediation.

Jayden is thankful that people care enough to invest in helping others through their contributions to United Way.