The top stories on CBS4.com
Jun 24, 2009 8:20 pm US/Eastern
Neighbors 4 Neighbors In Your Community
Neighbors 4 Neighbors: 305-597-4404
HIALEAH (CBS4) ―
Holding your child for the first time, coming home from the hospital and first smiles are all moments every parent treasures. These moments are especially dear to Leasa Smith; they remind her of the brief time her family was whole.
Just months after her daughter Imani was born, tragedy struck. Smith's husband August, an industrial architect, was killed at a construction site. She had spoken with him just an hour before the accident.
"They called me from his cell phone to tell me he was being loaded into an ambulance," said Smith.
In a matter of moments her perfect family had been torn apart. She shared how she felt during that time with
CBS4's Erika Von Tiehl.
"He wasn't just our provider, he was our world; it's a major void in our lives, but he lives on through Imani," said Smith.
Leasa and Imani weren't prepared to lose their sole provider. They had no life insurance, and Leasa is struggling to find a job. In the meantime, she is taking on any help she can get—a humbling experience from her previous life.
"You go to these organizations with your hand out, not because you're trying to get something from the system, but because you truly need it, the need is there" said Leasa.
She contacted
Neighbors 4 Neighbors, hoping to find a pre-school for Imani, so she could continue her job search. Neighbors connected her with Beth Davis, the owner and director of the Kids For Kids Academy in Miami.
The academy is an early learning center that teaches more than reading and writing. They practice what they preach when it comes to helping your community.
"Everyone deserves a chance to have the best for their child," said Davis. "If a parent says that they lost their job and need to take their child out, well if you take your child out how are you going to find a job? When you find the job we're not going to have the space for them."
The school gave Imani two months of free tuition. When the scholarship ran out, the Neighbors Family Fund paid for her preschool tuition for an additional four months and gave the family Publix gift cards to help cover the basics.
In the meantime Smith volunteers when she can at the academy, a small way to say a big thank you.
"I want to give back when we're able, but right now, we're just in need," said Smith.
She was a realtor in another state, but she has not been able to afford to get her license here in Florida. She also has experience in office management. If you know of a job that you think she would be right for, please call
Neighbors 4 Neighbors as 305-597-4404.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Burned Teen's Family Staying Positive
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
