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Tanya McKelvin
Christmas is a special time for women and children who come to the Family Shelter. Many are unable to be with their loved ones and experience sadness because of this separation. Special activities are planned to bring joy to the season. Christmas Day began with presents generously donated by many people. Many were amazed and cried at the gifts they received. One woman commented that hers was the first gift she received since she was a child.

One special story stands out: Tanja McKelvin, a single mother, came to the Shelter in December, 2002 with her three teenage daughters, Evony, Brittany, and Kiera. Through a series of job losses and illness, Tanya says “It seemed like one bad thing happened after another and I didn't know how to make ends meat. I had to swallow my pride and come here. I was so concerned about my girls' Christmas. It hurt me real bad because I couldn't afford to give them anything. Miss Maxie (a Family Shelter Manager) and Mrs. Gray (the Family Shelter Supervisor) welcomed me and told me not to worry because the kids at the Shelter have a nice Christmas. They told me to take care of what I needed to and they would take care of the rest. And that's what happened. Usually I stay up all night trying to get a tree decorated and get something for my girls; but this year I just went straight to bed and let someone else play Santa Claus. It was wonderful. My girls were so excited they couldn't get to sleep. They really blessed my children with a nice Christmas. The joy of seeing my girls all smiling and the thrill of seeing them open up presents was really something. There was even something for me. This is also the first year I went to a Church service on Christmas. It was just wonderful.”

Tanja wants people to know that, “Losing my job and my home made me appreciate what I had. You don't appreciate a good thing until it's gone. It makes you look at a lot of things differently. We live day to day and don't thank the Lord for what He gives us. I took a lot for granted.” She has dreams for her future. She hopes to own her own house one day, where the girls can have their own rooms. She would like to be either a Gospel Singer or work in a place like the Family Shelter to help other women who have been where she is. For now she is living day by day.

Tanja says she had accepted the Lord as her Savior but had been backsliding and says she has been "reborn" at the Shelter. She says, “God might not answer your prayers when you want him to but he's always on time.” Evony wants to be a pediatrician someday. She says. “It's hard staying at the Shelter but I appreciate what the Union Mission has done for my family and someday I want to donate to the Mission.” Someday Brittany hopes to be a lawyer and Kiera wants to be a dress designer. With God's help they will achieve their dreams.

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