ST. LOUIS — The most meaningful part of a family business is family.
"There is such pride in building something that is our own," said business owner Jennifer Donley
It's been 12 years since Donley and her husband started Claria Clean.
"It's a restoration and cleaning company," she explained.
From fires to floods, Claria Clean likes to say they have you covered.
But it turns out it's not just the company that's ready to respond in an emergency.
For Kathleen Sollenbarger and her 3-year-old grandson Warren, Jennifer Donley has been a guardian angel.
"She has the biggest heart I've ever seen," Sollenbarger said.
She was light in the darkness that absorbed Kathleen's daughter, little Warren's mom.
"She's a great person and a good loving mother," clarified an emotional Sollenbarger talking about her daughter. "Over time we've learned she has a problem with drugs."
So, Jennifer opened both her heart and her home to Warren as a volunteer with an organization called Safe Families for Children.
"I love it because it honors the family," Donley said. "It honors the parents, they retain custody."
Safe families will temporarily host children and provide support for parents in crisis while they work to get back on their feet.
Warren is one of six children the Donley's have hosted so far and they have three kids of their own.
"I think it's really built empathy and compassion in them at a level that's uncommon for kids their age," said Donley.
Adding that it can often be hard to give up the children you've been taking care of.
Business is good for the Donleys but it's not what they do that matters most to them.
It's who they are.
"Safe families brings safe haven to the children," said Sollenbarger.
Helping kids, no matter their beginning, have a happy ending.
