“Poverty offers no escape,” said social worker Barbara Monsor.

Those words weren’t just a belief: they were a reality she had seen again and again throughout her 30 years in the field. Soon after retiring, she received a call about a sixth grade boy going to school in his mother’s slippers; this led her to found Mothers Trust Foundation (MTF)  and dedicate the next chapter of her life to ensuring no child went without human needs and essentials.  

That single call about a boy without his own shoes sparked something larger than Monsor could have imagined. Founded in 1998, MTF has expanded from supporting one child into a community-wide effort to help families in need throughout Lake County. Over two decades later, and three years after Monsor’s passing, MTF continues her mission to support children and families in times of crisis. The non-profit partners with local service agencies and schools to provide immediate assistance in the form of clothing, school supplies, extracurricular activities, and prom dresses.   

Today, MTF makes efficiency a priority, a value that stands out among other community organizations. Instead of working directly with families, MTF partners with school counselors to identify those in need. 

“That allows us to act really quickly,” said Executive Director Lisa Cervieri. “If a social worker sends us a request by Monday, we review it on Wednesday and the check or gift card is out the door by Friday. Our partners love that because there’s no red tape.”

But beyond the quick response times and practical aid, the Foundation’s mission stays alive through the students who carry it forward. One of those students is senior Sophia Shader, a member of the MTF Teen Board, who first got involved as a freshman through the Foundation’s annual coat drive. 

“I started running the Mother’s Trust Foundation Teens Coat Drive when it was passed down to my friend and I during our first year of high school,” Shader said. “My role involves putting together a group of about 40 teens for collection and distribution. It takes months of planning and organizing all the small details.”

Through her work with the Foundation, she’s also gained a new perspective on the communities around her.

“Before joining, I don’t think I fully understood how many people struggle with basic needs: stable housing, access to mental health support, or even school supplies for their children,” she said. “Through this organization, I’ve seen how even a small act of support can bring relief to a family, and it’s given me a deeper sense of responsibility to help.”

The sense of connection that started the organization is what continues to keep its work alive. Whether it’s providing a coat or covering the cost of a prom dress, the Foundation seeks to honor Monsor’s mission by meeting people where they are with compassion.