CASE 14

At an age when many adults are hoping to slow down and enjoy the little things in life, Ms. P. became the legal guardian of her five grandchildren after her daughter died. Now 54 and struggling with diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritic knees, she is trying to keep up with four active boys, 9 to 17, and one girl, 15. Her goal is to keep these siblings together, but her challenges are many. Although she works full time, her $1,200 monthly income doesn't nearly cover the needs of the children. The kids are short on winter clothing and need properly fitting coats, boots, gloves and hats. Mrs. P. also needs repairs on her car and help with utility bills and groceries.

CASE 15

Ms. W.'s life hasn't been easy, but she's trying to count her blessings. A divorced mother of four boys and one girl, she successfully lured her two eldest teenage sons away from street life in her violent urban neighborhood and steered both into a Job Corps program, where they are back on track. She also has something big to look forward to next year: She expects to earn a nursing degree after going to school for nearly six years. In the meantime, she recently was laid off from a prized factory job, along with most of her co-workers. Her home was recently burglarized, and she lost her laptop computer. She needs a computer both for school and job searches. She and her children, ages 4, 8, 11, 16 and 17, all need clothing and sheets and comforters for their beds.

CASE 16

Ms. D knows she needs to escape heroin. Her addiction has played a major role in her family's homelessness and her failure to support her four children. She has been involved in daily treatment to kick her addiction and recently reached a milestone when she went more than 90 days without using the drug. She's trying hard to break the cycle for herself and her children, two boys ages 9 and 5, and two girls ages 7 and 4. Ms. D, 26, recently learned that she and her children will leave the shelter where they've been staying and move into their own home. Ms. D wants a clean and sober Christmas for herself, and clothing and toys for her children, who've struggled along with her.

Profiles by Nancy Cambria and Elizabethe Holland of the Post-Dispatch.