Five Kids, An Eviction Looming and One Extraordinary Mom

Mercer County, NJ—Meet Osker’s Mom, beaming with pride and love for her five children, Katiana Gedin is the epitome of maternal love and sacrifice. An immigrant from Haiti, Katiana has persevered above all odds and has single-handedly raised five kids on a Home Health Aide’s salary.

Due to the current economic climate, Katiana is encountering a challenging crossroads and needs to quickly find a solution. This family of six is facing eviction due to unforeseen issues beyond their control, mainly a water pipe that was malfunctioning and is now causing excessive water bills (sometimes 500% more than average and often over $1,000 per month) with a less-than-helpful landlord.

Katiana is seeking a single-family residence for her children in a neighborhood in greater Trenton where she can endure and they can continue thriving as she raises an extraordinary troupe of service-oriented student citizens who will no doubt contribute greatly to the local community.

How do I know this? I first learned about Katiana’s plight while covering a story for The Father Center of New Jersey and their groundbreaking program for ninth grade boys entitled Healthy Relationships, Healthy Choices (HRHC). Katiana’s 14-year-old son Osker was selected to be a PUPP Scholar for the Princeton University Preparatory Program (PUPP), where young scholars receive guidance for their academic future. Becoming a Youth Ambassador for Trenton Health Team and Isles, Osker conducted zoom calls to educate his peers on the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine and encouraged them to get vaccinated. At The Father Center of New Jersey, Osker is an emerging leader who was recently chosen to participate in a Public Service Announcement project promoting anti-truancy for students in his hometown of Trenton. With a 3.9 GPA and an almost perfect attendance record, Osker is the poster-child for persistence, resilience, and buoyancy. Andre Thomas, Osker's Instructor and Mentor at The Father Center of New Jersey stated, "I am honored to be a part of Katiana's and Osker's story and to be in a position to help them. Their challenges and struggles are felt by me along with their resilience. It takes a village and I am glad to be part of that village!"

Osker is an anomaly of the most inspirational kind! He was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder when he was younger, but continues to break through the glass ceilings society and the education system has set for him. While peeling back the onion a little more, I learned that Osker is really thriving even though he is surrounded by challenges and obstacles. Crediting HRHC for his accomplishments and his amazing mamma, Osker states, “I hope in the future that one day I can give back and help others, the way this program has helped me.”

But first, the community-at-large is tasked with coming together to assist this high-performing family with the ability to move into a safe space in Mercer County. A place where Katiana’s five children can continue to succeed and where Osker’s older brother Samuel, also diagnosed with autism, but with significant and severe behavioral challenges, can live among his siblings, where he is accepted and deeply loved.

For this Mother’s Day, Andre Thomas and his team at the Healthy Relationships, Healthy Choices program are hoping folks will consider supporting Katiana, a single mother who has always placed her children as priority and who is in need of what she calls a small miracle. We know the fundraising force of a caring community is the secret weapon to making sure this family can continue to bloom. Katiana and her family need to raise $14,000 by this Mother's Day.

To contribute to Katiana’s GO FUND ME page, click here: https://gofund.me/ed53dcf4.