Success Stories

Since Gabe was born 21 months ago, "Lisa" has been coming to Baby Boutique. "It's the highlight of our lives every two months," she says.

Thinking back to all of the clothes and belongings Gabe's already outgrown, she realizes everything of his came from our "store". Without the Baby Boutique she can't imagine how she would have provided the crib, clothing, diapers, and other necessities for her baby.

Lisa's story, like so many others, is a long journey that started in the midst of a seemingly "normal" and "stable" life. She had a career, a home of her own, and a good life. Suddenly, everything changed. Lisa was a victim of a violent crime and had to relocate to Washington State and rebuild a completely new life for herself.

After settling into her new life in Seattle, Lisa fell in love. After years of believing she was not able to conceive a child, she found out she was pregnant. Overjoyed by this news, she was devastated when the father of their child left after hearing the news.

Later into her pregnancy she could no longer work enough hours to afford the apartment she was living in. Yet, she was determined to finish out the lease and avoid eviction. After exhausting all of her resources she spent a few weeks sleeping on the couches of friends and family. Soon she resorted to the last place she could think of to go - her storage unit. Over the next few months she lived in a cold, dark storage locker and called shelters on a daily basis looking for an opening.

She wasn't receiving the prenatal care she needed and soon she was very sick with eclampsia. Just two days before her son was born, she finally found an open bed at a women and family shelter. Immediately she received the medical treatment she so desperately needed. Fortunately, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy and Lisa received the care she needed to fully recover.

Lisa calls her son her "miracle child" and is thankful that he won't remember the trials of his early days. Her strength and will to survive is truly an inspiration to us all here at the Baby Boutique.

Thanks to all of you, our volunteers, donors and our community at the Baby Boutique. Together, we are providing relief and a lot of joy for families who've walked a difficult journey, much like Lisa's.

*The actual name of this mother has been changed to protect her privacy.