Helping Families in Need: A Year-Round Commitment

Guest Opinion

By Emma Smith | Nov. 9, 2024

Every holiday season, our community comes together with a beautiful display of generosity. From toy drives to meal donations, people step up to make the season brighter for those in need.

And while these contributions are crucial, families need our support long after the decorations come down. Struggles like hunger, financial hardship, and mental health crises don’t magically disappear in January. For families facing these issues, support must be consistent and lasting.

Working at Child and Family Services, I see firsthand how stability for a family often depends on resources that go beyond what’s visible on the surface. Many parents are juggling overwhelming challenges—health issues, trauma, financial insecurities—that can’t be fixed with a single meal or gift.

When these challenges come to a head in daily life, families need a steady lifeline, not just a one-time handout. This is where our community can make a lasting difference.

Imagine, for instance, a single mother who has recently left an abusive relationship. During the holidays, a warm meal or a few gifts might ease the burden, but rebuilding her life requires much more. She may need counseling to work through trauma, financial coaching to regain independence, childcare options to pursue work, and stable housing support.

The reality is, each of these steps is crucial for her journey forward, and none of them can be achieved in a single season.

This kind of help requires long-term commitment and vision. Families in crisis need consistent, holistic support, from accessible counseling services and job training to safe spaces where children can thrive.

One-time donations make a huge impact, but when people become sustaining donors—giving monthly rather than annually—they help ensure these essential services continue. This consistent support gives organizations like ours the ability to plan for future needs and respond with more flexibility.

We as a society have made strides in the way we think about helping others, but too often, we focus only on meeting immediate needs. Real support means shifting our focus to sustained, long-term care that gives families the resources to build stable, resilient lives.

Anyone can play a part. Beyond financial contributions, volunteering time—whether as a mentor, tutor, or simply a supportive presence—can provide the connection and reassurance many parents and children need.

When we step up consistently, we tell these families, “We see you, and we’re with you in this journey.”

So this season, let’s continue to show up with generosity—but let’s also expand our thinking. Christmas isn’t the only time families need support, and a one-time gift is only the first step.

If we approach community care as a long-term commitment, we can create a difference that lasts well beyond the holiday lights. When we keep showing up, we help make sure every family in our community has a shot at stability and hope.

Emma Smith is the Director of Development and Marketing at Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan. She is also a clinical mental health therapist and the owner of Blue Thistle Therapy, a local private practice.