Helping a Mom Raise Sons of Strong Character
They say it takes a village to raise a child. For Mairaisela, it takes an Army.
Mairaisela (Maira) is a stay-at-home mom to three sons: 17-year-old Brandon, 11-year-old Alexander, and 9-year-old Axel. While raising them to be good men is her main focus, she’s grateful for the help she’s received in this goal from The Salvation Army Chicago Lawn Corps Community Center, her family’s church home for the past ten years.
“The Salvation Army helped him be ready for college,” she said of her eldest son, Brandon, who will be a freshman at National Lewis this fall. The proud mom said the influence of the Army on his life helped him focus on his studies and pursue his dreams.
The Army has also provided Christmas presents for the family through our Angel Tree program for the past five years. And when Maira’s husband, Josue, had his work hours reduced for an entire year during the pandemic – cutting the family’s income – the Army provided funds to help them pay bills and rent as well as groceries so Maira could keep food on the table for her growing boys.
Maira, who volunteers with the food pantry, Angel Tree program, Red Kettle bell ringing, women’s ministry, and Sunday school at the Chicago Lawn corps, has seen her sons voluntarily join her in helping others in their community.
Below she shares in her own words the impact The Salvation Army has made on her sons and why she says, “The Salvation Army has been a great support in all areas of my life.”