Ty and her brand new blessing!

My name is Lisa, and I am fundraising to help support Ty and her son, who was born prematurely at 24 weeks. Ty and I work together at C.R.O.P.S. Ty is the C.R.O.P.S. Garden Manager and a pillar in her community. She grows food for those less fortunate across multiple community gardens, rallies her neighbors to stand up for environmental justice, educates people on the need for sustainability, and brings people together with her bright light and caring personality. To know her is to love her!

Ty was recently blessed with the birth of her son but was very surprised to find out that she was pregnant and surprised by the arrival of her son at 24 weeks. Ty, like many fellow women, has experienced the trauma of loss after a history of many miscarriages. She has wanted to be a mother for as long as she can remember and feels grateful for this blessing. She is already a wonderful mother! She goes to see her son at the hospital every morning and pumps milk for him every 3 hours. The experience of being a mother is something she longed for, but it is challenging and stressful to be away from the one she loves the most while he continues to grow at the hospital. Her son won't be able to come home for many more weeks, and it has been determined that he needs to be moved to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to receive the care he needs.

Ty is committed to her community and her job at C.R.O.P.S. but she is going to need the flexibility to travel between Pleasantville and Philadelphia, or possibly stay in Philadelphia, over the next few weeks or months. She is not one to ask for help and it took a lot of convincing for her to let us set up this Go Fund Me. As a small nonprofit with limited funds, C.R.O.P.S. has not yet grown to the size to be able to offer it's staff benefits like paid leave. As her friends and coworkers, we want to do whatever we can to make sure that Ty has the funds she needs to continue to see her baby boy regularly and be there to advocate for him while he is treated at CHOP. She is so committed to her community and right now she really needs her community to be committed to her and her new family! Any amount you can give is very much appreciated and will be used to cover the cost of transportation, daily needs and help cover personal costs while she is not able to work.

In Ty's own words:

"Peace & Love to All,

My life has changed dramatically over the past 2 months as I have welcomed a baby boy into my life!

Baby boy, as what I have called him for now, was born 24 weeks old & is now is the process of being transferred to Childrens Hospital in Philadelphia! Though I have family up in that area the sudden change has me trusting everything will work up for the best!

I could use any emotional & financial support as this is my 1st baby! This joyous but overwhelming situation has me in shock due to a series of miscarriages prior to my miracle baby boy who surprisingly showed up!

I appreciate all friendly compassionate support from all that love me & this baby boy that I can name once he's home with mom & the rest of his family!"

Even in this emotionally taxing situation, Ty is full of kindness and optimism! We look forward to your support!