Recipient Testimonials
I am beyond grateful to the ladies at Women and Wishes for all the tremendous financial help they have provided for myself and my two young children. I don't know what I would have done without them. My husband and I broke up and I was sent away after being a stay at home mom for the past 7 years I had nothing, no car, no money, no insurance for my kids. I am now able ro keep my head above water while I look for a job and get my life together. What a huge help, I just know that my life is headed in the right direction for me and my children, and Women and Wishes is a huge part of that. Thank you just doesn't seem like enough... What you ladies do is amazing.
Forever Grateful,
Consuelo James
I wanted to say thank you from the very bottom of my heart for helping me! I was a step away from being on the street and it was so hard to ask for help, but I am so thankful I did.
I was so desperate and had been searching for ways to make more money to meet my rent. I take care of my grandma who is 94 and legally blind and her expenses for her prescriptions and increased electricity bill amounts as well a food took more and more from my paycheck and I became behind in my rent. The landlord was adding $50.00 per day late fees too. I have been looking for part time work in addition to my full time job. I cannot even begin to tell you how much you have helped me and your talk with me helped by telling me it is ok to expect people to respect me and I deserve to be respected. I have been sending out resumes to get a better paying job and have set lot of things in motion in a positive way already. You really care and so do the other ladies in the company. I cannot wait until the day comes that I can volunteer with your company and also reach out to other women who are hurting and need help. You gave me hope and I was ready to give up. It was so nice to be able to not be judged, but rather spoken to in a nice way and told that I do count and I am making my life count for something too! There is so much I want to share:-) Thank you, thank you, thank you for caring. I do have to add that it had been several years since I could walk around in a grocery store and actually buy a box of pasta and a jar of Publix sauce and some cheese. I felt so empowered and bought my bananas and other food it was amazing. Thank you Jane!! Please extend my gratitude to the other ladies
Maria
I am a single mother of 3 beautiful children; this past year I lost my job, if life was not hard enough to raise my children alone now without a pay check to come with it. I had eaten away at my saving and now was just trying to get by. Since I had and still want to give my children a better future then what life has currently offered to them, they are enrolled in a private school. The school had notified me this past week that they had made a tuition mistake and I currently owe them $150.00 more for my youngest child who is in first grade. Although $150.00 is not that much of money, to me it was like I now owe them a million dollars and where would I come up with this amount. The school had notified me that I would have till the end of the week to pay the amount owed or my child would have to be pulled out of school. What am I to do? By the grace of God I had been told of this wonderful organization "Women & Wishes" that they grant single mothers a request-wish. I had called & talked with a very caring and understanding lady by the name of Jane, I told her of my situation and my current problem. She had guided me how to request my wish. Women & Wishes did not only put a band aid on the problem but also paid the school's tuition for the next month which gave a bit of breathing room. Things are slowing changing, I am getting back into the work force and a new life is just waiting for me to grab it.
A little thank you Women & Wishes for seeing two steps ahead where I could only see what was in front of me.
Sincerely and deepest gratitude,
L. M.
Words can’t express the gratitude I hold for Women & Wishes. Because of you I am able to now drive and move my life in the right direction. I can’t thank you enough for your support and am truly grateful to Women & Wishes.
S. R.
I have recently been blessed through the Woman and wishes organization. I was introduced to them through word of mouth and searching the internet. I then submitted my wish stepping out on faith. My entry was “My wish is that your organization can help pay for my utility bill one or both which is my light and water bills. The water recently was disconnected and the lights will soon be disconnected if not paid soon” I did not think that they were going to pay both because of the amount. After speaking with Jane and her associates I knew that this was a blessing they were so pleasant and understanding. A day later I received a call stating they were going to pay both of my bills. I instantly began to cry because I was so over whelmed. I then thanked her a million times and promised when I finish school and become a nurse I will join their organization as a sponsor. I am so grateful for this organization and would support what they do 100% God bless them for blessing others.
R.O.
I want to take the time to thank Jane and everyone involved in the women and wishes organization. I found myself in a position where I was behind on my rent and was told about women and wishes, I was very reluctant to apply because I was so afraid of being looked down on and not knowing what to expect. Desperate for assistance with my rent I applied not expecting to get any results and to my surprise I received a call from Jane at women and wishes. Jane you took the time to tell me that you know how hard it must have been for me to send my wish request, you gave me words of comfort and most of all women and wishes granted my request beyond my expectations. I never knew that there could be an organization that could be so warm, comforting and caring of my problem. Because of Women and Wishes not only was I able to pay my rent, but this organization paid for my business cards and my notary class I am still stunned and totally lost for words and all I can keep saying from the bottom of my heart is thank you, thank you so much for your kindness and all that you did for me and my daughter. Women and wishes when I started loosing faith you showed me that there are still good, caring, compassionate people in this world. Thank you.
Annette
I want to thank Jane and Women and Wishes from the bottom of my heart, Thank you for helping me thru one of the hardest moments of my life; God bless your organization, before coming to you I felt that there was no way I could deal with this problem, it has been a challenging few months for me and my children, I have been struggling to pay my bills due to my husband leaving, I was not able to pay my phone bill and of course due to nonpayment it was turned off with a balance of $519.71. This is the only way I have to communicate with anyone, my kids school etc. A friend of mine advised me and recommended me to contact Women and Wishes to see if they could help me, I was a little skeptical at first because I thought they wouldn’t see how important having a cell phone is for me, maybe they could help people with bigger problems, but probably not me. I still went online and sent a wish request, I right away received and email advising me that the request was received and that someone was going to contact me; again I right away received an email from Jane, she was great and really attentive, she showed me she cared about my problem, and just that meant a lot to me. Women and Wishes took care of my cell phone bill, I am so truly thank full.
Truly yours
Ambar
Gods Silhouette....
Its a double rainbow in the sky after a torrential rain, And a person resembling an angel with kind eyes and a caring smile,I met someone walking the journey not talking the talk. Lifting a hand to help,without judgement and with total respect. My funds were exasperated from an accident and a resent move in residence .I am a single mom. I am alone,and sometimes when too many things hit at once,its impossible to stay afloat. I was also needing car insurance to keep on keeping on. I needed an air condition to be fixed (very pricey). I met the beautiful Jane who shared a coffee with me and some comfortable chat. Jane was quick to help in confidence and not suspicion like some people treat another soul that has a need. I appreciated that so much.. She cared that I would have to drive around in Florida scourging heat,got me back on the road so I can safely go to work and reinforced for me that there are great people in the world, People who go that far to care are truly Gods Silhouette. For me a double rainbow means He winks . There was a double rainbow in the sky that afternoon. :)
cg
I got a divorce from my husband after 38 years & I was not given any money, but I got the house but everything is old & the water heater broke & the electricity wasn’t working so we had no hot water for six months for my daughter, son & grandson. I thank-you from all my heart for fixing the electricity so we can have hot water & take showers & cook & wash our cloths.
Jessie Frage
I wanted to take a moment to thank Women and Wishes for their kindness and generosity in a difficult time. Two years ago I lost everything I had in a fire; gone through a not so nice divorce and basically found myself and my three kids homeless, shoeless, penniless and without anything. In the past two years we moved to a brand new town and I worked had at getting a business started that would support us and provide a roof for us and things were going well
I was able to pay my bills and provide food and with my business growing I need to pay for licenses to keep everything going in the upward direction I was striving for however I just did not have the capital to get my licensing and insurance in order to keep my business up and running smooth. I was at a complete loss until I found them.
A job working for someone else would devastate me and my family so it was either lose everything I worked so hard for or get my paperwork and payments in order, Women and Wishes helped make it possible for me to continue my business and provide for my family and become a successful independent woman!
It a dream come true to be able to continue the path I had paved for my family's future and Women and Wishes removed the last of my roadblocks I cannot express my gratitude enough! I look forward to being successful in my endeavors and in turn partnering with Women and Wishes in the future, helping dreams come true!
Sincerely,
Kellee Ray LMT , Cnmt
Holistic Sunshine
Dear Women and Wishes,
I can't Thank You enough for your help with my struggles. In 2008, I was your average upperclass housewife: taking care of our 5000 square foot home in an upscale community, fiance' and 4 children; ( I say fiance' because we were not legally married to protect my fiance's money) We lived like one big happy family though and we married each other spiritually. I had dinner on the table most every night in addition to school meetings, volleyball games, volunteering or entertaining my fiance's clients. I was very active in my fiance's business when I was a housewife and then I went back to work when he said he needed help paying his company bills. I depleted my life savings to do more than my share to help. Then in 2009, I got sick. I was hospitalized in March for 3 days and I was getting very ill again in September along with two of the children. We discovered the problem, Mold, that lied within the walls of our home so my family and I had to vacate our home until the mold was removed. My fiance' did not take kindly to this and locked us out of our home. He took back anything of value he had ever given me, and canceled my health insurance when he heard from a mutual friend I found a lump on my breast. My fiance' also decided our 10 year relationship was over and he said he was taking our daughter from me, so a court battle ensued. A year into adjusting to our new life, God brought this wonderful organization, Woman and Wishes, to me through a friend and fellow volunteer. My "fairy godmother"(as I call her) Jane at Woman and Wishes asked, "If you could have just one wish right this minute, what would it be?" I had about 25 in my mind immediately, but I had just been handed a horrific ruling from the court, and needed transcripts from the trial asap. Jane waived her majic wand and filled that tall order. I got the transcripts just in time. I filed them with the court immediately and I am waiting for the reconsideration for rehearing at this time. My attorney has since withdrawn expecting payment of her bills from the temperary relief order gone wrong. I am confident these transcripts are the key to reversal of that order. Thank you Women and Wishes! I can't wait to give you the great news but court takes time. I hope you will be hearing from me with the great news soon! Thank you all so so much for granting my wish!
Anonymous Recipient
Dear Women and Wishes,
I can't begin to thank you enough for granting my wish! I am single and raising a child alone. I work fulltime but between rent, childcare and utilities, I can barely make ends meet. We are living paycheck to paycheck literally. I do not have a credit car or any savings.
I have been at the same job for 19 years and it requires a car because there is travel involved. When my 11 year old car went a month ago, I was able to scrimp enough to get it repair but less than four weeks later there it needed major repairs, which I could not afford. Without the car I would have lost my job and had no income. But Women and Wishes was able to grant my request and get my car repaired.
Without the car, I would not have a job and we would been evicted because I would have been unable to pay the rent with no income.
I can't begin to tell you how much this means to us! Thank You
Boston Area Recipient
I am so grateful to you all for sending me a $200.00 Publix card and $100.00 Gas Card. I never realized such kindness, compassion & generosity existed and would be sent to a stranger. I never knew that toilet paper and peanut butter could turn into luxuries. With good protein and fresh food, I recovered my energy and went from 118 to 126 lbs. I had lost 14 lbs. between being so sick and not enough to eat. God bless you and your organization.
Gloriana P.
I am a single mother and have been raising my 3 1/2 year old by myself. I have never gotten child support and am not eligible for state or federal funding. I have lived week to week for as long as I have been a mother. My brakes went on my car and I had to replace them. That is when I realized I am one or two paychecks away from being homeless and I got very nervous. I started writing to all kinds of organizations and was eventually referred to Women and Wishes. I filled out an email questionnaire and thought I would never hear back. Then the next day I got a call from you, that was a Friday, on Monday, you told me what backup paperwork you needed and I got that together and was meeting you Monday night for a check to my son's school for tuition, a gift card for food, gas and some necessities. I can now breathe. I didn't know what I was going to do and was panicking because my sons school money was due and my rent right after that. I am proud to say that my wishes were granted by your organization and I am not worried and my stomach is not in knots about the bills. Thank you so much. That saying, when the Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy is so true. After I came home Monday night from meeting you and the ladies, I was stressfree and happy. My son and I had a wonderful night and that is a direct result that I am not in desperation/worry mode due to your organizations help. Thank you Again.
Sheri L Whipp
“Women and Wishes” is just what it says. I am a woman who wished for financial recovery. I always considered myself as a strong survivor ready for anything and usually was able to beat all the odds. People usually came to me for help/guidance; and now who could I go too? As many of us do - unfortunately I suffered a “bump in the road” that left me struggling to surpass and no answers. W&W has helped me get over my bump so I may continue my journey to life’s success.
I was a skeptic and procrastinated about contacting W&W. I had been turned down by local and state governmental agencies for various reasons. Not only did Women and Wishes help me and my son get over our bump, but they have given me the opportunity to return the help. I am at a lost for words and emotions at how Women and Wishes has affected our lives. I have never met a more caring group of angels/women and am honored to be affiliated with a W&W.
My son and I would like to thank Women and Wishes for all the help they’ve given us and for what they do for families of the communities. God Bless You!
“We fall down but we get up”
Jackie and Javon
I would like to thank Women & Wishes, Boston Chapter for their generous gift of a washing machine for my family. I am a mother of two teenage daughters with a lot of laundry to do, along with running a household, working and caring for a sick husband. Three years ago this August my husband had a brain injury and subsequently will never be back to work.
It has been very hard on my family emotionally and financially. This gift of a washing machine will make our hectic life easier. Thank you again for your very generous gift and for having such a wonderful organization.
BOSTON CHAPTER, Rhonda and family
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Thank you Women and Wishes for all you have done for us and our family during our challenging times. You have made our lives have more hope and faith.
Hannah & Jacob
On behalf of my entire household, I would love to thank Women and Wishes for their assistance during our hardship. The work that your team is doing is crucial in our economic times. We are a middle class family. We recently had 2 pay cuts due to budget cuts in my husband's profession. With 2 new children and a house to run , needless to say, it has been so very difficult. The salary that we do bring in is too much for Government assistance, but not enough to cover our expenses. We are fortunate to have found your organization. We wish you Global growth and endless Finances to do the work you do for people.
"Lorraine" (name withheld)
It was a Blessing to meet this organization. I am a mother of 4 minor children and victim of domestic abuse. I have no financial support from the father. I had enough courage to get out and didn't know where to turn to but knew deep in my heart that this is not the way to live with children. My good friend suggested that I give Women and Wishes a call. I put a call into them and immediately received a call back. In a few days one of the Board Members sat down with me to discuss my situation. It was so nice to know that there are a group of women who really care and want to help. Women and Wishes helped me out with my electric bill and looking into medical insurance for me. I am trully Blessed to have met this organization and wonderful women that God put in my life.
Grace Granda.
Women and Wishes has done such great things for so many people including my 2 sisters and myself. I'm 26 years old and I got custody of my 2 sisters (10 and 12) about 2 1/2 years ago. Providing for them financially has been extremely stressfull, among other things. So I provide them with just the basics and anything else such as cable, internet, eating out, ect, has been put on hold.
When the kids starting coming home with computer cd roms instead of text books and needing to do tons of research, I knew I needed internet. We were going to the library to do it but I work 2 jobs so I don't have enough time for them to stay as long as they need. A friend of mine told me about someone she had met threw Women and Wishes and we got in contact. They were amazing women and cared so much about my sisters and myself, which I found to be so heart warming.
I told them my wish was to get internet for my sisters... and we got our wish! Thank you so much Women and Wishes for granting our wish :) God bless
Stacy N.
Space Mountain, the wild and crazy roller coaster at Disney World could best describe my life over the past five years. Yes, we all LIVE, LOVE AND LEARN along the journey of life, but nothing and I mean not one single thing can prepare a mother and young children for a bitter divorce. Moreover, continual malicious and frivolous ongoing litigation has sent my family into financial despair. Providing our basic necessities has become a challenge to say the very least. Yet, I am determined to prevail and seek a sense of normalcy and solace.
I met Kelly a few weeks ago and she was absolutely beautiful, gracious and listened attentively to assess our immediate needs. My family is very grateful for the food and adorable children clothing provided by Women and Wishes.
Now, my wish is to have this amazing non-profit organization flourish and continue to serve the needs of other women. Also, I wish to "GIVE BACK" to our thriving community [one day in the near future].
Peace, Blessings and Good Health.
Truly Sincere from The Heart,
Lisa
I would like to thank Women and Wishes for their wonderful contributions to a dear friend of mine. I found out about this fantastic organization when I attended a luncheon honoring one of your members. When I read their brochure, I was just astonished to find that all the criteria they were addressing perfectly fit my friend in need.
After contacting representatives of the organization, they took the time to meet with my friend on several occasions, and helped her with some of her problems. They assisted with summer camp for her daughter, a therapist to help her through her very difficult times and some financial tips. It is so thrilling to know that there is a group of women out there who are deeply concerned with the welfare of fellow women who are having a difficult time. Middle class women do not have the financial resources of the wealthy to help them through difficult financial times nor the opportunites that lower income women have available to them.
Thank you Women and Wishes for taking care of your fellow sisters. You are a blessing!!!
Linda B.
When you talk to women about Women & Wishes, frequently you'll hear such phrases as 'life-changing', 'major change', 'unexpected life change' and 'upheaval'. That has been 2008 for me; the Perfect Storm, financially, emotionally and personally.
My self esteem has taken quite a beating this year. In January, my teenage sons (15 & 17) and I went through the unexpected end of my long-term love relationship. He disappeared with the car and the savings. I was waitressing, because I really didn't NEED the income. Now I did. I decided to go back into office management, which I had been doing for years. I got a great paying job, which along with my tax return, allowed me to move into a place where my sons had their own rooms for the first time ever. The 'dream job' turned into a nightmare when a sexual harassment problem caused an not-so-pleasant ending. Back to the guaranteed money of the old low-paying job I was grateful to have money to feed the boys. Several months of trying to find a good job in a bad economy, the missed house payments have piled up.
I met Kelly and Marion briefly at a Make-A-Wish event that I attended as a parent speaker. Kelly gave me a business card, which I tucked into my wallet. The months have caused such stress as I have struggled more and more to prioritize my priorities. Aside from the obvious house payments, electric, car insurance, etc, Travis is graduating this spring, and Christmas is coming. My sons have been through so much in their short lives. Their father is an addict, and they lost their 15 year old sister to cancer five years ago. Disappointments have been many, but still they make good grades, stay out of trouble and are very protective of their mom. There are certain things I will not allow them to miss out on. They both deserve so much more.
One morning a few weeks ago I was sitting in my doctor's office, when they asked for my insurance card. I took it out of my wallet, and this lovely little business card fell out, literally at my feet. It was the card Kelly had given me. I picked it up and read the mission statement, and my eyes welled up. I couldn't believe what I was reading. It was my answer! When I got home, I wrote an email to Kelly and explained my situation. Within two days I was sitting across the table from Kelly and Marion at a diner, listening to the solutions and ideas they had to help my little family, and to help build my confidence again.
The immediate solutions we discussed; getting clothes for my sons, finding scholarships, help me find a good job, sending me for a makeover and a haircut, offering me friendship and reminding me that I really am not alone. Last week Women & Wishes held a masquerade party for their first anniversary. They invited my sons and me to be their guests. Sky, my youngest, plays football and had a playoff game, so we were not able to attend. The party was a success, and these incredibly generous women wrote me a check a few days later so I can get Travis' cap & gown, class ring and senior pictures! I could not have come up with the $500 to do this for my son.
I finally feel like this too shall pass, and that we will come out of this. I don't need a man, but I do need a support system. Now I have one. It is way too easy to isolate to avoid embarrassment, and sit at home trying to do it alone, but it got me nowhere but deeper in this mess. Women & Wishes isn't just there to "give you a fish" (although they will, for immediate relief). Women & Wishes is there, more importantly, to teach you how to fish. These women have been there. They are so very compassionate and non-judgmental. They have, themselves, needed resources and created a lot of contacts to share. All they ask in return for helping me is that I help them help someone else. Sometimes the stars align, the gods smile and the right people and opportunities come into our lives. I have made a decision to get very involved- I feel like I have found a place where I fit, and another place in life where I can make a difference.
Thank you, ladies. I am eternally grateful and looking forward to a long friendship with you personally and Women & Wishes!
Jeri Plat
Dear Women & Wishes,
Many thanks to you for showing up in a tangible way to help my kids and I in the form of Christmas gifts, clothing, gift cards and more importantly a much needed car repair. Your selfless Christmas Blessing is nothing short of a miracle that my family will never forget.
Kelly and Marion took the time to sit and talk with me; I was not just a case number to them. I was treated like a regular person even though my circumstances weren’t the greatest. Many thanks to Ms Joanne and all the other supporters that went out of their way to make Christmas a reality for us. Additionally, thank your for inviting Derek and I to the Boat Parade Party. It was a Blast!
My heart is overwhelmed by your generosity. I truly believe that God is watching over my family and it is no co-incidence that my wish that was submitted in June of this year is now fulfilled in December. I pray for your success in the coming year and that donors will continue to financially support your organization.
Once again thank you for making our Christmas one to remember.
Sincerely,
Denise L. Lewis
