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Divorced dad struggles to care for his two kids

Editor's note: The Time is Now to Help was founded by a local businessman who knew extreme poverty as a child. With the help of donations from the community, The Time is Now is able to help local residents in need.

Dear W.C., I am a divorced father trying to do what's right for my children. I have not been able to buy my children clothes or school supplies. I am barely keeping food on the table.

Our rent hasn't been paid in two months and we are about to be evicted.

My old truck needs repairs. I am really overwhelmed doing this on my own. I just want to take good care of my children. Please help. A Good Father

Dear readers,

Most of the people The Time Is Now to Help assists are seniors, single mothers, the handicapped and struggling families. A small percentage are single fathers. I believe most women retain primary parent status when they get a divorce.

Most of these women should have the primary parent status, but there are some women who want it for all the wrong reasons. It should be because they are the more capable, responsible, loving parent, not due to financial gain or revenge. The children's well-being should be of the utmost concern.

This father was dealing with an ex-wife who had primary placement of the children when she was not able to provide a stable, loving home life.

The husband said the only thing she cared about was her party lifestyle. He said teachers began to inquire why the children were late for school, homework was not completed and were worried over their hygiene.

But the courts had decided the mother was to have primary placement and he had limited contact with the children.

Child support payments left him struggling to even make ends meet himself.

Then, he said his ex-wife showed up at his door with the children in tow, pushing them through the door and saying she no longer wanted them.

Thank God they have a loving, caring father to pick up the pieces.

The father has been helping them to catch up at school. The teachers had great reports on the children since they moved in with the father.

He makes sure they are clean and well cared for.

The Time Is Now to Help stepped in and provided food, rent and vouchers for school supplies. We provided the children with much-needed shoes and school clothes.

We referred the father to the W.C. Family Resource Center for food assistance and directed him where to receive more clothing assistance. We also provided a much-needed repair to his truck he uses for work.

He is employed and would be able to pay his bills if he didn't have the child support payments.

We spoke of his legal options and he is pursuing the right path for legal custody of his children.

Together we have helped a good father and two precious children.

Thanks to your caring and sharing, we have met our goal of $30,000 in the Richard Driehaus Matching Grant. Thank you for caring and sharing.

Health and happiness, God bless everyone, W.C.

A very special thank you: Roundy's Supermarket We Care Program, Duane and Francis Eddy, Linda Eddy, David and Mary Riesland, Janet Campion, Norene Roth, Copper Horse, David and Penny Froh, John and Vickie Geier, Ellen Flanagan, Martin O'Brien, Drescher Family Charitable Foundation, W.C. Family Resource Center/Food Pantry volunteers, Michael and Sue Borden, Dick and Jean Honeyager, all of you who support The Time Is Now to Help donation boxes, and the businesses that allow our donation boxes.