Profile: Cynthia first heard about Reason to Give through her support group for survivors of domestic violence. Besides running the support group, Cynthia is very involved in the Humboldt Park community.  She regularly volunteers with the schools, local organizations, and the alderman.  Cynthia doesn’t want anything for herself; she just wants to be able to take care of her family.

After surviving an abusive relationship in her first marriage, Cynthia met her husband Curtis. Curtis is now retired and suffers from diabetes. Cynthia 's oldest daughetr, also named Cynthia, 27, lives in Texas with her husband and daughter.  Shanta, 20, her other daughter, is attending college for computer technology. Shanta is 5 months pregnant and has been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. The family prays for a healthy baby. Shanta had a miscarriage last year five months into her first pregnancy brought on by the Sickle Cell Trait.

Driven by their love for children, Cynthia and Curtis became foster parents. Lawrence, their son, came to them as a baby diagnosed with Short Gut, a disease that affects the digestive tract and can be fatal. Knowing only they could provide the best care for Lawrence after raising him as foster parents for a few years, Cynthia and Curtis fought to adopt their son. Lawrence is now ten years old and is about to have his G tube removed. Although he requires constant care and frequent trips to the hospital, Cynthia tells us he is doing much better than was expected.

Cynthia is asking for a new mattress and baby supplies for her daughter Shanta.  She also needs school supplies and a computer for her children, as well as winter wear and shoes for the family. She is very grateful to anyone that can help.