Taelyn turned one in November and thanks to your support, his mom Hannah was able to be there to celebrate with him.

Hannah was 17 when she entered the child welfare system, still reeling from her mother’s decision to give her up after a series of “incidents.” The pregnant teenager found herself getting in trouble more often than usual, and it became more than her mother could handle.

Due to Hannah’s struggles, when Taelyn was born he was placed in a separate foster home. Inspired by her son’s birth, Hannah set out on a path toward self-improvement, determined to leave her life of delinquency and rebellion, both for herself and her son.

Your gifts this Christmas help to pour the hope of God into this young family as they work towards wholeness.

Hannah is- now striving, under the guidance and support of her caring foster family and LSF’s dedicated case managers, to put her life on a straight path that will lead to her being able to gain custody of Taelyn. She finds a way to visit him every day. She got her GED and is doing all she can to provide even more support for her son.

Hannah turns 18 in a few months which means she will be aging out of the foster care system, and so Lutheran Services Florida is doing all we can to support her by connecting her with resources that will ensure her success.

Hannah and Taelyn will be spending their first Christmas together later this month. It is on that most sacred day that we remember another young mother who birthed the One who brings light to everyone, in whose name that LSF brings God’s healing, hope and help.

Their story has many more pages yet to be written, and it is because of the generosity of donors and community partners that we can hope for the happiest ending.

Whether it’s helping vulnerable children, reducing the suicide and drug addiction rate, giving families in crisis the support they need to persevere, empowering refugees, or making sure those in poverty get the education they need to close the achievement gap, your prayers and donations truly make a difference.

Learn more about how you can help Hannah (and other foster teens just like her!) by visiting www.lsfnet.org/makeadifference.