A Joyful End to the Year
The final days of 2024 brought blessings that Natividad never expected, especially after a year filled with unimaginable difficulties. She and her four children celebrated Christmas together in an apartment of their own, a reality that didn’t seem attainable just a year ago.
Last May, Natividad, then pregnant with her youngest child, survived a traumatic domestic violence incident involving the father of her unborn child. To protect her family, Natividad fled her home with her three children, leaving behind most of their possessions.Homeless and struggling to make ends meet, she found refuge at the Ruth Lilly Women and Children’s Center, where she met care coordinator Albat Mulbah.
“Sitting in my office, you could tell Natividad was determined to create a better future for her family,” Albat recalled. “Her children were incredibly well-behaved despite everything they’d been through, a testament to her strength as a mother.” The Salvation Army was able to quickly provide safe housing at the shelter and the support Natividad needed in order to rebuild.
“We got our apartment one week before school started,” shared Natividad. “It was such a blessing from The Salvation Army. To have a place before the kids started school was important and it helped me with work.”
With her family in a safe place, she was able to work until her baby boy was due. During that time, she became a public notary, got her medical translator certification, and re-enrolled in school to finish the last year of her bachelor’s degree.
“I was already grateful for having a home to spend the holidays in and managed to get my children a Christmas tree before the baby came,” said Natividad. “I was only able to get each child one gift.” Natividad made a heartfelt promise to her children: next year, there would be more gifts under the tree. Little did she know that promise would come true sooner than expected.
Through a partnership between The Salvation Army and Walmart, her family had been selected to receive surprise Christmas gifts. Just a week before Christmas, the family returned to the Ruth Lilly Women and Children’s Center, unaware of the surprise waiting for them.
“I wasn’t expecting anything when we came back. When I saw the gifts, I was so overwhelmed with joy and relief,” said Natividad. “I will forever remember this special day.” She is now looking forward to a 2025 filled with blessings, thankful for the shelter that gave her the hope and energy to create a brighter future for her children. Natividad's story is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, love, perseverance, and generosity can light the way to a better tomorrow.