CHICAGO (CBS) — In the course of the vacation season, the Chicago-based candle-making firm Bright Endeavors does nearly half of its yearly gross sales.
The corporate offers funding for the non-profit group New Moms. And as CBS 2’s Suzanne Le Mignot confirmed us Friday, the lives of those younger moms are being made brighter, one candle at a time.
On the age of 20, Alexis Lee was not solely homeless, however the mom of a 2- and 6-year-old.
“I’ve my very own automobile now,” Lee mentioned.
Lee mentioned Chicago-based New Moms not solely obtained her an condo, however put her on the trail to non-public success.
“Now I’ve my very own place. So, I really feel, they helped my life elevate. As a result of I used to be struggling so much again then,” Lee mentioned.
Lee mentioned she’s additionally a constructive function mannequin for her youngsters — 10-year-old Jalynn, 5-year-old King, and 3-month-old Alayah.
“I have been doing so good since I met New Mothers,” she mentioned.
Younger girls who’re pregnant, or are dad and mom between the ages of 16 and 24, can participate within the New Mothers program. They obtain baby improvement, parenting and prenatal schooling. In addition they get job coaching, to assist them transfer into the workforce.
The brand new mothers participate in a 16-week coaching program, the place they studying every part from profession planning to time administration. These abilities are practiced of their jobs at Vivid Endeavors, the place the younger girls create soy-based candles that help the New Moms program.
The candles created by the younger moms are offered nationwide. Forty p.c of their enterprise takes place through the holidays, with 25,000 candles offered throughout that point final 12 months. Bright Endeavors offered a complete of 72,000 candles in 2021.
“One of many intangible issues, that is most essential, is the boldness the younger mother builds and it is fairly unimaginable to see her, for the primary time see, her have a job, achieve success at one thing and really feel actually proud and achieved in that,” Laura Zumdahl, president and CEO of New Mothers.
Kortnilyn Williams was pregnant at 19 and gave start to her daughter Jordyn, at 20.
“Discovered myself caught — working like job to job, useless finish jobs,” Williams mentioned, “and, like my daughter’s 3, and I have not been capable of save up something since she was born.”
Now 23, Williams mentioned New Mothers has remodeled her life.
“This program has made me really feel that the issues that I would like in life, you realize, shopping for a home for my child, having a steady profession, it has made me really feel that it is truly potential,” Williams mentioned.
Vivid Endeavors, not solely making the vacations brighter, however lighting the best way for brand spanking new mothers and future generations.
The candles are offered nationwide and on-line. Forty p.c of Vivid Endeavors’ enterprise takes place through the holidays, with 25,000 candles offered throughout that point final 12 months.
New Mothers was acknowledged in 2016 by the Make It Higher Basis within the human service class and received the inspiration’s Philanthropy Award. CBS 2 is a proud sponsor of the Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Awards.
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