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Elementary Students, Moving Company Helping Women In Crisis

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Since the late 1800s, there's been a group of dedicated women who look out for each other in times of crisis. You know this group as the "YWCA."

Mike Schuh talks to a client who calls them lifesavers.

You're about to meet Ann--a mother of two.

"When I first came in, I couldn't do anything on my own," she said.

Abused as a child, she's been homeless four times. At 29 years old, she's now stable and is paying her own way at a YWCA shelter.

"I just needed somebody to give me the chance and say, 'I really care,'" she said.

She's being taught how to navigate life.

"The end goal is be able to be self sufficient," Ann said.

At Relay Elementary School--a parade of success. The kids there are sending practical Mother's Day presents to Ann's shelter.

"All that other stuff they collected, they're helping for mothers that live in shelters and don't have that much stuff," said third grader Matthew Lewis.

No flowers or chocolates, but necessities. The collection organized by the moving company "Two Men and a Truck."

"So these essentials are things that they don't necessarily have that we might have that are a need for them," said Lori Geros, Two Men and a Truck.

The YWCA is thankful, and its clear: it needs corporations like Two Men and a Truck to continue to do what they do.

"This is how we give back to the community. Without these organizations, YWCA Greater Baltimore would not exist," said Sherretta Peterson, YWCA.

Ann says she appreciates what we all take for granted--hot water, cold water, a bathroom--and she'd like to thank everyone who is helping her.

"I just think about my life. I feel like everyone is working around the clock, full time just to have gotten me where I am. And you think of all the other families, and so, it's really awesome," she said.

Though those items will be dropped off this weekend, the YWCA says any gifts are always welcome.

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