She needed eighty-four dollars for certified childcare so she could attend the sessions and keep her place in the program.

Our new fund had clear procedures and an approved budget.

Nadine helped Melissa submit the short application, and the review team approved payment directly to the childcare provider after verification.

Nothing about the process required Melissa to describe herself as helpless.

When she returned a month later with her training certificate, she asked whether she could volunteer at our next workshop.

“You don’t owe us volunteer hours,” I said.