When the Community Seeds Grant was announced, Yolanda stood with everyone else, not thinking about winning or about herself. Instead, she prayed a simple prayer.

“God, let this go to the person who needs it the most.”

For a long time, Yolanda had prayed for one simple thing for her home: a stove. The one they had barely worked, and cooking for her family had become difficult. Even so, she kept trusting in God that one day God would provide what her family needed.

Several years ago, when the Dream Center first opened, Yolanda walked by and stopped to ask what it was. We explained the program and invited her to join it. Her son Emanuel was only three years old and wanted to join, but he was still too young. Her older son, Franklin, joined and became part of the Dream Center. What began as a simple question while passing by slowly became something more. Not long after, Yolanda started volunteering, helping wherever she was needed. Today, she has served at the Dream Center for four years.

Yolanda has always been honest with us about the struggles she and her family face, even when it is painful to share. One of those struggles has been her son, Franklin. Franklin has been a difficult child at times. Instead of carrying that burden alone, Yolanda has allowed us to walk with her and support her. She has often come to us for help, asking how she can guide him in the right direction. She has told us more than once, “I’ve always looked for support so he doesn’t drop out of school and doesn’t go down the wrong path.” Like many families, Franklin’s teenage years were the hardest. Still, Yolanda never gave up hope and never stopped praying. Alongside her, many of our team members have taken time to pray with Franklin, talk with him, guide him, and walk with their family through those years.

For several years, Yolanda’s greatest needs were a new stove and a new bed for Franklin. When we announced the winner of the Community Seeds Grant. She was shocked. Despite how much she needed it, she was not thinking about herself. Like always, her first thoughts were for the people around her and for her family.

Why Community Seeds exists

Stories like Yolanda’s remind us why we do this work. Through Community Seeds, we invest in the homes of the families connected to our children — helping strengthen their families and reminding them of something important:

That no matter what, God always sees their needs.