Karalee White has been attending Traders Point for two and a half years. She is also on staff with Shepherd Community Center as their Paraclete Program Coordinator. Karalee loves being part of the partnership between Traders Point and Shepherd because her heart is stirred to break the bonds of generational poverty.
Last fall, Karalee had the opportunity to strike up a conversation with a neighbor at Shepherd’s Saturday food pantry. This neighbor was a homeless mother of two children, with one on the way, and was working hard to get back on her feet. As Karalee spent time that morning with her and her girls, she learned more about their story and mom's aspirations for not only her own future but also her daughters' futures. They exchanged contact information and had a phone call the following week to discuss how else Shepherd may be able to come alongside them.
In the coming weeks, Shepherd got this mom connected to their housing program, transportation services, and several resources for her children. During this time, she also gave birth to her third little girl.
Karalee’s relationship with this mom continued to grow as they spent time together at several Shepherd family events, including the annual Christmas Store.
This past Christmas, for the third year in a row, Traders Point joined with Shepherd Community Center in creating a Christmas store experience that brings dignity to parents and provides hope to families. Shepherd's annual Christmas store supports families by giving parents an opportunity to shop for gifts, showing their kids how much they care, and making Christmas a season of hope.
At the store this year, this mom had the opportunity to select toys, books, games, art supplies, stuffed animals, clothing items, and winter gear for all three of her girls.
Shepherd is currently celebrating with this mom as she signed a lease on a new apartment, enrolled two of the daughters in their academy, and got the youngest connected to daycare.
“As a colleague and I stood in the living room praying with Mom over their brand-new apartment, I couldn't help but be grateful for all that the Lord is doing in their lives and the many opportunities we've had to come alongside them,” Karalee said. “This family has worked incredibly hard to take steps toward a vibrant future in the midst of a challenging season and has experienced a little extra love, joy, and hope from those who make the ministry of Shepherd possible along the way."