A Fighting Chance
In January 2017, Reggie Monroe’s life changed with almost no warning. His three young nephews, who had spent time in foster care, needed a safe and permanent home. Reggie had moved away from his hometown to build a life on his own, but when his family faced a crisis, he stepped forward.
“They did not know me, and I did not know them, so we had to learn each other,” Reggie remembers.
Almost overnight, Reggie became a single parent to three children while working full time and living far from his extended family. He was determined to keep the brothers together, but he did not know how to navigate school enrollment, healthcare, counseling, benefits, or the everyday costs of raising a family.
Then someone connected him with HALOS.
HALOS helped Reggie secure beds, clothing, school uniforms, and other essentials. Staff connected the family with doctors, counseling, summer camps, and community resources while helping Reggie navigate Medicaid and other unfamiliar systems. Just as importantly, HALOS remained a consistent source of encouragement as the family grew together.
“They did not only help the children. They helped me mentally, too,” Reggie says. “It felt like family. It felt like the support system I really needed and did not know I needed that much.”
HALOS continued walking alongside the family as the children grew. Holiday assistance helped Reggie create joyful memories without sacrificing essential household expenses. Summer camp scholarships provided safe, enriching opportunities for the children while he worked. When two of his nephews enrolled at Military Magnet Academy, HALOS helped cover the cost of camp and uniforms.
Today, all three young men are entering their senior year of high school. They are earning good grades, playing sports, studying health science and carpentry, and preparing for futures that may include military service, the Job Corps, skilled trades, and college.
Reggie is proud of everything they have overcome, but his greatest personal accomplishment is that he kept going, even during the most difficult moments.
“I am proud that I did not give up,” he says. “There were times I wanted to because it was too overwhelming. But when you have a support system like HALOS, you can keep going.”
"I am giving them a fighting chance."
-- Reggie Monroe, HALOS Caregiver