In 1997, Lynne Corry was homeless and living on the streets of New York City. She was addicted, and alone, using heroin or whatever she could find to numb the pain. But everything changed when she discovered the Young Mothers Program. Lynne was accepted into the program, and, within months, her nine-month-old son Tyler joined her. 

Lynne’s treatment wasn’t just about sobriety; it was also about learning to live and to parent. From making her bed each morning to embracing structure, Lynne internalized the basics that helped rebuild her life and be the best mom to her son Tyler. Today, she’s been sober for nearly three decades, happily married, and the owner of a home not far from the park where she once slept. Tyler, now a young man, is proud of his mom, has multiple college degrees, and is pursuing a career in the healthcare field.

Experiencing her first sober holiday season, Lynne was inspired to lift the spirits of the other moms while at the Young Mothers Program. She decided to launch a holiday toy and gift drive for the moms and babies at the program. It became the first of many successful drives and the start of a beloved tradition. Lynne has returned every year since then for the holidays, bringing donated toys from generous friends and community members.

In 2020, she turned her annual holiday toy drive into Giving Friends, a nonprofit that supports mothers and children facing adversity. What started as a simple act of giving has grown into a citywide effort to bring dignity, hope, and joy to families facing addiction, homelessness, and poverty. And with a little help from her friends, Lynne continues to deliver smiles, proving that even from the hardest places, the most beautiful stories can grow.