After Charlene Porter’s story was published in The Columbus Dispatch on June 1, several readers emailed asking how they could help her.
The 70-year-old took in two children unrelated to her by blood when they were mere days old and has legal custody of the boys, now ages 2 and 4, both of whom have developmental disabilities.
Porter and the boys, Marvon and Maurking, have been staying at the YWCA Family Center shelter for more than a month, as she wasn’t able to pay her rent and afford to support the children and their needs. Some benefits payments she expected didn’t come through, as well.
Still, she is thrilled to have legal custody of the boys through a kinship placement via Franklin County Children Services and loves that they call her mom.
After the outpouring of support when people heard her story, Porter set up a GoFundMe fundraiser for those who wish to help her and the boys find and secure their next home.
Porter has been searching for a new apartment since her stay at the shelter began and has a family advocate there and case managers with other organizations helping her.
Those interested in helping with donations may send gift cards or similar small items to the family center via mail or drop them off in person in sealed envelopes at 900 Harvey Court with Porter’s name on them.
Right now, she likely doesn’t have room for clothes or larger items, as she and the boys have limited space at the shelter.
The GoFundMe can be found at gofund.me/f86316aa6.
Underserved communities reporter Danae King can be reached at dking@dispatch.com or on X at @DanaeKing.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Here’s how you can help an unhoused woman and the 2 young boys she took in
Reporting by Danae King, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Danae King, Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
