Profile: Victoria is a mother of three and wife to Rafael. Their children are: Rafael (11), Vicky (9), and Amy (5). They have lived on Chicago Avenue for 13 years and are fond of the schools and the Park in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. The kids really like the summer nights in the Park, especially when they're filled with rides and festivals. Victoria contacted Reason To Give because they need help paying for all the family's needs. In the past few years, rents have steadily increased and she now has to pay $1000/month.

Rafael is a retired CTA bus driver, but his pension checks have not increased as the price of rent climbs. Victoria was working a factory job in Aurora, but left at the persistence of her children wanting her home. Because rent has increased so much, the family needs help buying clothes and household items, especially winter coats.

We asked Victoria and her children about their dreams for the future. Victoria, who said "my children are my life," wants her kids to finish school—something which she didn't get the chance to do. Vicky told us she wants to grow up and have a beautiful family, and Rafael wants to be wealthy enough to have a car and give back to his mother. Amy, who's five, wants to be a princess and wear princess shoes.