Knowing that I am their protector. They will never go through intergenerational trauma from living on a reservation and being exposed to drugs, alcohol and violence. To know that I broke the cycle for my children and they can live a happy life. Watching them accomplish new things, learn new things and be confident in themselves. Watching them make their regalia, learn how to dance in ceremony, and to watch them laugh and feel joy. Giving them that. Is what it’s about.

I will never forget the day both of my girls were born. I had my first at 17 years old freshly grieving the loss of my younger brother. I had absolutely no will to live, I got into a life of substance abuse to numb the pain. When I found out I was pregnant, I knew it was a sign for myself. I got sober and started doing everything to have a baby as a teenage mom. My 2nd daughter came along after a horrible breakup. I was again in a bad place mentally. My children saved me. I will never forget.

I work multiple jobs to provide. We were homeless for many years but finally have an apartment and a car. I could use this to help pay bills or even put a down payment on a house. The apartments we live in aren’t the best for children. This amount of money would help with so many things I would be eternally grateful. My children also deserve to have something fun and cool, maybe put some aside for a family trip since I am always working for them. It would definitely go into my family’s needs.