The Stories Behind FAIR’s Impact

The FAIR Project works directly with maternal and child home-visiting programs to provide comprehensive support in addressing a family's immediate needs and long-term well-being goals. Since the FAIR Project started in 2023, 587 Philadelphian families received assistance. In total, those families had 1,544 legal matters addressed and received $1,133,391in funds.

Sometimes, when we see the overall impact of a project, we lose sight of the individual families who have benefited the most from the services. Below, three of FAIR’s clients shared with us how the legal and financial services provided by the Family Support Fund changed their lives.

Ronnda's Story

My experience with FAIR and the Family Support Fund began in the hottest summer days of 2024. My hours at work had been cut, I was in financial debt and still trying to pay off student loans. My three kids lived with me and their father wasn’t paying his child support. In the middle of all of this, my air conditioner died.

With no spare money and not even a fan to cool off with, I contacted the PECO fund, which claimed to be helping people, but I never heard back from them. I then reached out to EHS, and they referred me to a project I never heard of before called the FAIR project. After this referral, I was contacted by Ms. Erin Blair, who introduced me to herself and explained what she and the project did.

But that wasn’t the end of their help. A few months later, some legal issues came up, and again, FAIR stepped in to start actively helping me through this issue.

The attention to my family's personal news is prompt and sufficient. I appreciate the staff making me feel comfortable and not like I was begging for some extra help, they encouraged me along the process. My children and I will forever be grateful for this experience.

Tanchanika's Story

From my very first interaction with Erin Blair and the FAIR Projet, a significant burden was lifted off my shoulders. She kindly reassured me that she would do everything within her power to alleviate any stress I was experiencing. As a single parent of two children, one being a 14-year-old and the other a 2-year-old, the project, which was introduced to me through ParentChild+, became an invaluable resource for me and my son Ryder, who is autistic.

I had been observing that my son wasn’t meeting developmental milestones as expected since he was 6 months old. This realization prompted me to enroll in parenting classes. I felt compelled to take this step because if no on else was willing to lend an ear or offer assistance to me and my child, I was determined to persevere.

I had experienced the support of ParentChild+ on several occasions before. There was one instance that stood out to me. I found myself in urgent need of diapers, and my coach, although unable to directly assist, was able to connect me with the FAIR project. In a remarkably short span of time, I found myself confiding about my challenges. Not only did they provide diapers and wipes for my son, but they also facilitated the acquisition of a trampoline and table set to support Ryder’s sensory input and developmental progress. And the kindness extended beyond that - they helped us put food on the table, acquire a car seat, and ensured my son had his uniform for high school.

Kymirah's Story

The Family Support Fund has been instrumental in facilitating my ability to take Journee to her appointments and engage in leisure activities that are crucial for her early childhood development such as swim lessons, early movements in gymnastics, and trips to the library. Whether it’s attending a doctor’s appointment or participating in enriching playgroups, the financial support provided by the FAIR Family Support Fund allowed me to prioritize my daughter’s health and happiness.

Beyond these immediate needs, FAIR has offered something truly special—a sense of spiritual support. Just knowing that there were resources available during times of uncertainty gave me peace of mind, allowing me to be the best parent I could be. This assurance has inspired me to think bigger for Journee’s future; I am now motivated to establish a college fund for her. I want to ensure that she has every opportunity available to follow her dreams, and the support from the FAIR Fund has made me feel empowered to create that future. Thank you to everyone involved in making this invaluable resource available to families like mine. Your support changes lives, and I am proud to be a part of this journey, especially with Journee.

How You Can Get Involved

The FAIR Family Support Fund provides urgent financial relief to Philadelphia Families, as shown by the stories above. The project was made possible with the generous support of the William Penn Foundation. Moving forward, FAIR hopes to sustain and expand this fund in part through donations. Please help keep families housed, warm, and fed this holiday season with a donation to the FAIR Family Support Fund. All donations go directly to supporting families in need.