I will never forget the first day I visited Giraffe Laugh, before enrolling my youngest son in their early childhood education program.
At the time, I was starting a new life as a single mother and desperately searching for quality care to prepare my son for school. What I didn’t realize then was that I was also searching for a lifeline, for my older children and for myself.
Before finding Giraffe Laugh, my world had turned upside down. I had gone from being a happily married professional, organizing charity events and helping business leaders give back, to suddenly standing alone with four young children and an empty bank account. Overnight, the life I had built and the stability I had known vanished.
Gone were the family trips, the safety, and the certainty. What remained was fear, heartbreak, and the desperate hope that my children could still have a future filled with laughter and love.
When Health and Welfare referred me to Giraffe Laugh, I had no idea that walking through those doors would change everything. Within days of enrolling my youngest in preschool, our lives began to shift. Ms. Beverly and the teachers provided not just exceptional care and learning for my son, they created a safe, nurturing space where he could thrive. Meanwhile, Amber, Lori, and the entire staff cared for our family as if we were their own.
Over the holidays, reality hit hard. With a part-time job and limited income, I knew I couldn’t afford a Thanksgiving meal for my children. Asking for help was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I’ll never forget the afternoon I went to pick up a holiday basket from Giraffe Laugh’s pantry, I was embarrassed, overwhelmed, and on the verge of tears.
But what happened next changed how I viewed kindness forever. Amber greeted me with warmth and compassion, and somehow, we ended up laughing in that little kitchen. What started as humiliation turned into hope. I walked out not feeling ashamed, but uplifted—like I had just spent time with a dear friend who truly cared.
That moment was more than a meal. It was the restoration of my dignity.
Giraffe Laugh provided more than childcare, it gave my family a community that believed in us when I couldn’t believe in myself. It was a tiny garden where I could plant new hopes and dreams, trusting that they would grow into something beautiful.
Today, those seeds have flourished. My children are strong, happy, and thriving. We have a home filled with love and laughter. My business is growing again, I’m finishing my MBA, and my son, once that little preschooler, is now one of the best readers in his first-grade class.
I returned to Giraffe Laugh as a Board Member because I want other families to experience the same transformation we did. Giraffe Laugh helped us move from surviving to thriving, and I will never stop sharing that gift forward.
Every Family Deserves Support
At Giraffe Laugh, we believe in meeting families where they are, offering compassion, consistency, and care that create lasting change. 👉 Learn more about how we empower families and build stronger futures →
