Zoe’s Story: Finding Hope at the Nursery

Giving Tuesday begins now and runs through December 2, your gift during this time makes a powerful difference. Your support ensures families like Zoe’s never have to face their challenges alone. You help provide safe care for children, keep our pantry stocked so no family goes without food, and give parents the steady support they need to rebuild their strength and stability.

To make your Giving Tuesday donation, simply visit our website and give in whatever way feels right for you. Every contribution brings hope to a family who needs it. Your support helps us care for individuals like Zoe who are at their breaking point.

Today, we’d like to share her story with you. When Zoe first connected with the Nursery, she was a stay-at-home mom of three, doing everything she could to keep her family afloat. She had one son and two young daughters who depended on her completely. The rising cost of groceries, diapers, and essentials made each day feel like a test of strength. Even small things like running low on wipes or formula created a wave of stress. She described that time in her life as feeling completely lost and uncertain, often emotionally exhausted from trying to hold everything together on her own.

When another agency could no longer provide diapers for her youngest child, Zoe began to worry about how she would manage. That moment led her to the Nursery and to our ABC Program, a ten-week, in-home coaching series that helps parents strengthen their bond with their young children. Through ABC, Zoe met Jennifer, a caring Parent Coach who supported her weekly with encouragement, practical tools, and gentle guidance. The visits helped Zoe feel more confident and connected with her daughters, and she could see real progress. The program gave her the reassurance and stability she needed during a stressful time.

Jennifer arrived at Zoe’s home with kindness, patience, and a genuine desire to help. Zoe remembers how safe it felt to open up to someone who truly listened. “Jennifer was incredibly kind, respectful, and understanding,” she said. “She cared deeply for my children and never made me feel judged.” What began as help with diapers and wipes grew into something much deeper. Jennifer connected her with community resources, supported her emotionally, and reminded her that she did not have to face everything alone. Zoe often says that having Jennifer by her side gave her a sense of peace she had not felt in a long time.

Her children felt that same sense of comfort. During their first visit to the Nursery, her eldest daughter lit up with joy. She played, laughed, and relaxed in a way her mother hadn’t seen in weeks. She loved it so much that she immediately asked when they could return. For Zoe, seeing her daughter happy and safe in a welcoming space brought a wave of relief that is hard to put into words.

As the days and weeks passed, Zoe felt her life beginning to stabilize. The support she received gave her room to breathe and think clearly again. “The support gave me the breathing room I needed to organize my life and move forward,” she shared. She grew more patient, more present, and more connected with her children. Their bond strengthened because she finally had the tools and support to care for herself as well.

When asked what the Nursery means to her, Zoe had only two words: “Emotional support.” To her, that meant compassion, understanding, and a sense of community that helped her rebuild her confidence as a mother.

Families like Zoe’s are facing harder times than ever. Many parents are struggling to stretch every dollar just to cover food, diapers, gas, and other basics. When those pressures become too heavy, the Nursery is here to step in. We offer 30 days of 24/7 care for children when parents cannot meet their immediate needs, and we surround families with the support, guidance, and resources they need to regain stability.

Many of the families who walk through our doors carry similar worries, and some arrive in even more urgent situations. We regularly meet parents who have completely run out of food, skipped meals so their children can eat, or are on the brink of losing their housing. Some come to us with nothing but the clothes on their backs, unsure of what tomorrow will bring. Seeing their fear and exhaustion reminds us how essential it is to be a place where people can turn in their most difficult moments. No matter how overwhelmed they feel, we make sure they are met with care, stability, and immediate support.

Last year alone, the Nursery cared for 1,369 children in Yolo County, and the number continues to rise as more families struggle with the cost of living.

Your kindness gives every child a chance to begin again, and your Giving Tuesday gift will help even more families find stability and support.

-Heather Sleuter, Yolo Crisis Nursery Executive Director