hand up
Date Published:
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is Kristen Stephens, and I am writing this letter with humility and hope in my heart. My husband and I are both full-time first responders in the community we love and proudly serve. He serves as a police officer, and I serve as a firefighter and Advanced EMT while also attending paramedic school full time. Everything we do is rooted in service — to our neighbors, to strangers in crisis, and most importantly, to our family.
This letter is not a request for a handout. We are simply asking for a hand up — any guidance, support, or assistance that might help us create a little stability for our family’s future.
Despite both of us working full time, and my commitment to advancing my education so I can better serve our community, we live paycheck to paycheck. We currently rent our home and do our best to stay on top of every bill. We pay what we owe. We show up to work. We keep pushing forward. But some months, it feels like we are just trying to keep our heads above water.
We have an 8-year-old daughter who is the light of our lives. Her wishes are simple — a bicycle to ride around the neighborhood, the chance to join jiu-jitsu, and the opportunity to participate in summer programs with other children her age. As parents, it is heartbreaking at times to have to weigh those small joys against groceries, gas, or an unexpected car repair.
Our dream is not extravagant. We hope to one day purchase a modest home in the very community we protect. We want reliable vehicles so we can get to work without fear of breakdowns. We want the peace of mind of knowing that food will always be in the fridge and that our daughter can grow up feeling secure and supported.
We have struggled with credit challenges in the past, but we consistently pay our bills and are working to rebuild. We are not looking for someone to fix our lives — only for an opportunity, a program, guidance, or assistance that can help us take the next step forward.
Any help at all would be deeply appreciated. More than anything, we want to continue serving our community with pride while also building a stable foundation for our family.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for considering our request. Your kindness and understanding truly mean more than words can express.
With sincere gratitude,
Kristen Stephens
Mom, Wife, Fire Fighter/AEMT
My name is Kristen Stephens, and I am writing this letter with humility and hope in my heart. My husband and I are both full-time first responders in the community we love and proudly serve. He serves as a police officer, and I serve as a firefighter and Advanced EMT while also attending paramedic school full time. Everything we do is rooted in service — to our neighbors, to strangers in crisis, and most importantly, to our family.
This letter is not a request for a handout. We are simply asking for a hand up — any guidance, support, or assistance that might help us create a little stability for our family’s future.
Despite both of us working full time, and my commitment to advancing my education so I can better serve our community, we live paycheck to paycheck. We currently rent our home and do our best to stay on top of every bill. We pay what we owe. We show up to work. We keep pushing forward. But some months, it feels like we are just trying to keep our heads above water.
We have an 8-year-old daughter who is the light of our lives. Her wishes are simple — a bicycle to ride around the neighborhood, the chance to join jiu-jitsu, and the opportunity to participate in summer programs with other children her age. As parents, it is heartbreaking at times to have to weigh those small joys against groceries, gas, or an unexpected car repair.
Our dream is not extravagant. We hope to one day purchase a modest home in the very community we protect. We want reliable vehicles so we can get to work without fear of breakdowns. We want the peace of mind of knowing that food will always be in the fridge and that our daughter can grow up feeling secure and supported.
We have struggled with credit challenges in the past, but we consistently pay our bills and are working to rebuild. We are not looking for someone to fix our lives — only for an opportunity, a program, guidance, or assistance that can help us take the next step forward.
Any help at all would be deeply appreciated. More than anything, we want to continue serving our community with pride while also building a stable foundation for our family.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for considering our request. Your kindness and understanding truly mean more than words can express.
With sincere gratitude,
Kristen Stephens
Mom, Wife, Fire Fighter/AEMT
