Campaign Story

My name is Ernest Butler, and I am applying for the Gift of Parenthood grant to help support my journey toward building a family. Becoming a father has been my lifelong dream one rooted in love, compassion, and the deep desire to nurture and guide a child of my own.
From a young age, I knew that fatherhood was a central part of who I wanted to be. That passion has only grown stronger throughout my professional life. For over 12 years, I have worked as a pediatric medical assistant, dedicating my days to caring for children and supporting families through their most tender moments. My experiences in pediatrics inspired me to take my commitment even further, leading me to become a birth and postpartum doula and lactation educator. Through this work, I have had the honor of walking alongside families as they bring new life into the world an experience that has reaffirmed my own calling to parenthood.
After the passing of my father, I developed an even deeper appreciation for family and legacy. His influence strengthened my resolve to one day create a home filled with love, stability, and the same values he instilled in me. However, my path to parenthood has not been simple. As a male in the LGBTQ+ community, I have faced unique barriers in accessing fertility care and family-building options. Discovering that I also face fertility challenges has made the journey even more emotional and financially demanding.
The Gift of Parenthood Foundation represents hope that individuals like me, who have dedicated their lives to caring for others, can also receive the support needed to fulfill the dream of becoming a parent. Receiving this grant would not only help alleviate the financial obstacles of treatment and family planning, but it would also bring me one step closer to the life I have always envisioned: a life centered around love, family, and fatherhood.
I am deeply grateful for your time, your compassion, and the work you do to make parenthood possible for so many. Thank you for considering my story and for helping make dreams like mine a reality.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Ernest Butler