There's a moment parents like me don't talk about enough—the moment after high school when the world seems to shrink for our children. Opportunities disappear. Programs end. And it feels like our kids are expected to simply fade quietly into the background. It's heartbreaking, and it's real.

But sometimes… you find a place where your child doesn't fall off a cliff.
They climb.
They grow.
They belong.
And they remind you just how much is possible when someone believes in them.

For us, that place is the local food bank distribution center. For over two years, this has been more than volunteer work—it has been a lifeline of purpose and possibility.

My child has taken on tasks that many never imagined he could do. He's broken down boxes and loaded the compactor. He's pulled cans from donation bins and helped pack them.

He's assembled boxes—more than 600 in three hours recently.

He's worked the assembly line, filling senior boxes with care.

He's stacked finished boxes onto pallets that help feed our community.

He's scooped fruit and vegetables from huge crates, helping prepare food so others can bag and distribute it.

And then there's the moment that still brings tears to my eyes:

It took him 42 minutes to learn how to assemble a vegetable box. Forty-two minutes of struggling, trying, wanting to quit, pushing forward, and believing—because I believed in him. I could have stepped in. I could have redirected him. But I knew he could do it.

And he did.
Once it clicked, he and two other volunteers went on to assemble 212 boxes.

This is why we don't give up.
This is why we don't accept limits placed on our children.
This is why we keep searching for places where they can grow, contribute, and be seen for all they can do.

It isn't easy to find opportunities. It isn't easy to fight for them, either. But when you do—when your child finds their place and begins to soar—
The world better be ready, because here they come. 🌍✨

I want to say thank you to the Food Bank staff and volunteers who have become part of our family. You didn't just give us a place to volunteer — you gave us a place to grow. You offered patience, encouragement, a spot at the table, and the belief that everyone has something valuable to contribute.

Week after week, you have welcomed my child with genuine smiles, real tasks, and meaningful responsibility. You saw ability instead of limitation. You watched him learn, work hard, and rise to every challenge — and you cheered him on every step of the way.

Because of you, he hasn't fallen off the cliff after high school.
He has climbed.
He has belonged.
He has soared.

Thank you for being the people who said, "Yes, he can."

You help make milestones like this possible — and for that, we are deeply grateful.

Milestone Moment: Look Out, World—He's Rising ❤️🌟

Holiday Survival Tips For Families