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Light One Candle Today the Mail Tribune begins its holiday series, "Light One Candle." Each day through Christmas Eve, we will feature an individual or family who has one special need which, if met, would make life easier and might help keep them from slipping further into poverty. We recognize that all hurts cannot be healed, but by lighting just one candle -- helping one family -- together we can brighten the season for many. The Light One Candle series will feature local families. Names will not be used to protect the privacy of recipients. Their stories are told through the counselors, advocates and case managers who work with them. A variety of social service agencies are helping with the series, including CERVS, ACCESS and Community Works. Readers are invited to respond to the series by calling the phone numbers at the end of each story. Last Christmas, generous Rogue Valley residents donated everything from a dining room set for a family with no furniture to car seats for teen parents and cars for single mothers. This year we hope readers will again reach into their hearts and give to those less fortunate. Teenager is on her own Until a few years ago, life for this Talent teenager was liking living in a pinball machine. In 11 years of foster care, she has been bounced around to 23 different homes. When she turned 16, she made up her mind she was going to make it on her own, and her first place was a small walk-up apartment. After seven months of scrimping and saving and hard work, the 17-year-old has a small house in the country she can call home. With help from the Independent Living Subsidy program, part of Community Works, she has learned how to balance her check book, live on a small budget and shop wisely. The program also provides a monthly subsidy to the teenager, as long as she goes to school or works 40 hours a week. This teenager is going to a technical training school for 40 hours a week, and lives on less than $500 a month, said her ILS counselor Pat Carter. "All the things we got from our mom, she didn't," Carter said of the teenager. Yet, with all the obstacles she has faced in her life, she has a positive attitude, appreciates the support she has received and is determined to make it on her own. Cooking and music are this teen's passions. When Carter gave her a used copy of the "Joy of Cooking" cook book, "you'd think that I'd handed her a million dollars," Carter said. The young woman said, "now I know how to many tablespoons make a fourth of a cup." She has taught herself how to cook, and her Christmas dream is to have a nice set of pots and pans. She would also like a set of plastic storage containers so she can cook her meals and take them to work to save money. Anyone interested in helping this hard-working teenager with pots and pans, or other independent teens with household items such as dishes, coffee pots, microwaves and other first-time apartment necessities, they can donate it through Pat Carter, by calling 770-1270. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA