Chicago woman uses her own money to make care kits for women in crisis

Tenika Angel Gaither believes everyone should have a guardian angel.

A few months ago, the Jefferson Park woman started using her own money to make emergency kits for women experiencing a crisis.

Her goal is to make them feel seen and cared for.

She calls them Love Care Kits. They are clear book bags filled with body wash, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes, socks a comb and brush and other items a woman in a temporary shelter might need.

“I did not choose a basket because how would they carry that around?” she asked. “I chose a book bag. They can carry it around with them and put important papers and their coat inside. And it is see-through.  I want them to feel encouraged, that is why I also include a card to encourage them to keep their heads up, and a journal so they can write down their feelings”

Tenika is not working right now, and she does not have car, so to deliver her kits, she takes public transportation or even walks to get the bags to where they need to be.

On the day NBC Chicago met up with Tenika, she used an Uber to deliver several Love Care kits to Cornerstone Community Outreach in Uptown.

“I pray I did a good job,” Tenika said, “But it really is not about me. It is about the people. Letting them know that someone that you do not know is thinking about you. It is going to touch someone’s heart. I believe it is.”

Tenika has an online fundraiser for people who want to support her Love Care Kits.