“Every tag is connected to a child who wants to believe that someone in the world cares about their well-being. If we can show them for one moment that someone put their needs ahead of their own, maybe they will finally believe that what they have endured does not need to define who they grow up to be.”
It’s a reality that hits way too close to home for Rayn.
When she was 14 years old, Rayn was placed in the foster care system, where she met another young girl like herself.
“She was also 14 and came in wearing clothing that would have fit a small nine-year-old,” Rayn writes in a now-viral Facebook post. “I remember seeing her change for bed and noticed reddish-purplish welts on her skin. Her clothing had literally injured her. I made a silent promise to her that day, that when I grew up, I would do something to help children like her and me.”
Sometimes the most difficult seasons of our life can prove to be the most fruitful later on. I have to believe that’s the case for Rayn. The beautiful thing about her past and the difficulties she’s overcome is that her fruitfulness is impacting thousands of lives beyond her own.
She is carving a brighter future for children who don’t have the luxury of basic necessities, let alone a mother or father who shows them unconditional love, support and encouragement.
Things of My Very Own Inc.
“For many of these children, we are the spark of hope that lights up their otherwise dark world. Many individuals and businesses have already stepped up, asking for tags; and for these children, we hope it is only the beginning.”
Rayn gives of her heart — to the nonprofit and her own children
In an interview with Times Union, Rayn shared, “In 2008, I started out of the basement of my house. By 2010, we helped 5,892 children. It started out as a way to provide for foster children, but I realized it is the children at risk of being removed from their homes that are falling through the gaps. It’s the mother who leaves a domestic violence situation, who might lose her kids if she can’t provide them with clothes and food. It takes time to get services like food stamps. That’s where we come in.”
As a single mother and abuse survivor, Rayn continued to intentionally pour into her children. Rayn shared in a recent Facebook post, “From the time my own children were little, I taught them that every day that the sun comes up, it means that it’s going to be a great day. My hope was that the first moment of each of their days, would be filled with excitement, and the belief that every day held opportunity for greatness. The moment their little eyes would open, they would eagerly look outside and declare “Momma, the sun is up. It’s going to be a great day! As each child aged, another sibling would be born. The older siblings would help create excitement among the younger ones. All would be excited to see the sun.”