“Givingmas Was There”: A Special Thank You from Raven

When Givingmas first partnered with Raven in September 2025, she was a mother of two, a full-time student and a worker determined to build a more stable future for her family.

After experiencing significant challenges and a lack of family support, Raven and her two young children were living in transitional housing at Restored Hope Ministries. At the same time, Raven was attending Ogle Esthetician School full-time while supplementing her income through DoorDash and plasma donations.

Her goal was not simply to get through a difficult season. Raven wanted to build a different future for herself and her children. In her words, she was working toward “thriving, not just surviving.”

Givingmas joined Raven in that journey, helping address barriers that could have prevented her from continuing the progress she was working so hard to make. Over the past year, that support has included better auto insurance coverage, car repairs and maintenance, assistance with increased rent and utilities, summer day camp for her children, résumé and employment coaching, and the costs associated with her esthetician exams and license.

And Raven kept moving forward.

She graduated from esthetician school and passed both her written and practical state exams to earn her Texas Esthetician License. She secured a new job and signed a new lease, taking important steps toward the independence she had been working to achieve.

Then, on the very day it seemed like everything was finally falling into place, another major obstacle appeared.

Raven totaled her car.

What happened next is part of the reason Raven recently wrote a special message to the Givingmas team and, just as importantly, to the donors, volunteers and supporters who make this work possible.

A Message from Raven

"To the Givingmas team and all of the generous donors,

I want to extend the biggest and most heartfelt thank you from my two children and me. Every donation, contribution, and act of kindness you provide through Givingmas has made a greater impact on our lives than you could ever know.

My family has personally experienced the incredible difference that a helping hand can make over this past year. We truly would not be where we are today without all of you. The list of ways Givingmas has supported us is long, and I will forever be grateful for every bit of help we have received through this incredible organization.

I am especially proud of myself for making it through esthetician school and successfully passing both of my state exams to earn my Texas Esthetician License. However, I could not have accomplished it without the support of Givingmas. You were there for us through every obstacle—even helping me arrange childcare during my children’s school breaks so I could continue attending school without missing classes.

When I worried that my children might not have Halloween costumes, Givingmas was there.

When I thought there was no way I could afford car insurance on top of everything else, Givingmas was there.

And when I finally got a new job, signed a new lease, and felt like everything was finally starting to fall into place, I totaled my car that very same day. I remember thinking, There is absolutely no way I’m going to be able to keep my new job or my new home now.

But Givingmas was there.

That very same night, you helped provide me with a car. It was an overwhelming and difficult situation, but Givingmas made sure that all the hard work you had watched me put in to build a better life for my children and myself would not be undone by one unexpected and devastating obstacle.

The amazing people of Givingmas have been there for us directly, but I also know there are countless people working behind the scenes to make all of this possible. To every donor, volunteer, organizer, supporter, and person who has contributed in any way: please know that you have made a real and lasting difference in our lives.

You didn't just help us through difficult moments—you helped give us the opportunity to keep moving forward.

I truly cannot say it enough:

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

From the bottom of my heart, and from my children, thank you for believing in families like ours and for being there when we needed it most.

With endless gratitude,

Thank you, Givingmas, volunteers and donors and supporters."

—Raven

This Is What Your Support Makes Possible

Raven’s words are also a message to every person who has donated, volunteered, partnered with or supported Givingmas.

The assistance provided to a family may look different from one moment to the next. Sometimes it is childcare that allows a parent to stay in school. Sometimes it is helping with car insurance so transportation remains secure. Sometimes it is making sure children can enjoy something as simple as having Halloween costumes.

And sometimes, it means stepping in during an unexpected crisis so that months of hard work are not lost overnight.

For Raven, each of those moments became part of something much bigger. Today, she is a licensed esthetician, has a new job and a new home, and is continuing to build a more stable future for herself and her children.

To everyone who helps make this possible, Raven said it best: Thank you.

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