CLICK VIDEO ABOVE TO HEAR CLARISSA’S STORY
THE JOURNEY THROUGH MOTHERHOOD
Growing up, all Clarissa ever dreamed about was becoming a mother. While other kids her age were thinking about what profession they wanted to pursue, she was thinking of what names she’d give her future children. Her dream came true when she became the mother of three beautiful children. She has nine year old twins and a seven year old.
However, motherhood for Clarissa did not come without its ups and downs. She and her children became victims of domestic abuse and Clarissa journeyed through one of the darkest times in her life. She soon made the brave decision to escape their toxic and dangerous environment and start over — with nothing. Even though she was facing a season of uncertainty, she knew it was the right thing to do and that her children would be safe and loved.
CONNECTING WITH REAL SINGLE MOMS MINISTRIES
Finding herself as a single mother, Clarissa knew she couldn’t walk this new life alone and began to seek out community to help build her village. While scrolling through Facebook, she came across a post in a local moms group about REAL Single Moms Ministries. She reached out, praying they would be able to assist her, and they did.
Through tears, Clarissa explains, “REAL has been the encouragement and backbone I needed to survive. They listened to my story and never passed judgment. I have made some amazing friends through REAL who have encouraged me and been there for me and my children. They helped change my life.”
Part of that life change was experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clarissa, who held a job since she was 14, was laid off during this time. It was through her relationships at REAL that she was encouraged to go back to school. REAL assisted her by providing a laptop for her courses and guided her through the process of refinancing her car to give her reliable transportation at a more affordable cost. She became certified and started working as a medical assistant and is currently taking classes at night and on weekends to become a Registered Nurse.
A “REACH FOR THE MOON” REQUEST
The stress and anxiety regarding Christmas began to hit Clarissa in September of last year. Being unemployed and all extra funds going toward her nursing school fees, she wondered how she would provide a decent Christmas for her children. Through the partnership with REAL and North Church Christmas Wishes, she was encouraged to write down her kids’ wishlists that were “reach for the moon” requests.
One specific request from her nine year old daughter, who dreams of becoming a baker, was for a KitchenAid mixer. Hesitantly, Clarissa wrote it down and was overcome with emotion when she showed up to North to pick up the gifts and saw that among all the presents, her daughter was gifted the mixer and a personalized apron.
“You want so badly to give everything to your kids and when you can’t, it’s hard to ask for help. I asked for help and in a miraculous moment, it came true. That gift changed how I viewed people and it changed how I viewed life.”