Kim Allen was moving her life forward, making good on big plans.

She'd raised two sons, each pursuing their own lives. She had a full-time job assisting troubled teens. She was working toward a college degree.

Then came a phone call -- about two young nephews in desperate need -- that brought her face-to-face with hard choices, big changes and a major detour in her future.

"I have a story to tell," said Ms. Allen, 45, in a voice mixing weariness and hardship with determination and hope.

After taking in her nephews 2¹/₂ years ago, Ms. Allen went from financial self-sufficiency to financial crisis. Now unemployed, she has exhausted her savings and cashed out two 401(k) retirement accounts.

She recently emptied the last coins from a giant jar of change she'd accumulated while still working.

"I never, ever, ever in a million years thought I'd be right here today, but here I am. It has to get better. It can't get any worse than this," she said.

In the summer of 2005, she and several relatives had just returned from a trip to Disney World when she got a phone call from Allegheny County Children, Youth and Families saying they had two boys, related to her, who needed help. She learned the boys were indeed her nephews, whose own parents could longer care for them.

Jordan and Devon, then 5 and 3, needed a home. Ms. Allen agreed to take them.

The boys moved into her home in McDonald, Washington County. She got Jordan into school and Deon into child care while she continued working.

But problems erupted. Both boys had behavior issues. Ms. Allen got phone call after phone call, forcing her to leave work to handle problems with one boy or the other.

Ms. Allen says her boss and co-workers were very supportive and helpful. But after a year juggling her job and the needs of her nephews, she realized she couldn't do both. In August 2006, she resigned.

"It wasn't fair to me or to them as employers," she said.

She moved her struggling household to Pittsburgh's Lincoln Place neighborhood, closer to support services and to family members she hoped would help with Jordan and Deon. She also dropped out of college to focus on the boys.

Since then, some aspects of life have improved. The boys understand that home is with "Aunt Kim" and their behavior is improving, although both still have difficult moments. Jordan, now 8, is in second grade and Deon, now 5, is in kindergarten.

Ms. Allen has resumed classes at Community College of Allegheny County, with help from a sister, a neighbor and a niece who watch the boys during her Friday and Saturday classes. Ms. Allen's younger son, Stefon Strothers, helps as much as he can on visits home from Waynesburg University.

But household finances are extremely stressed. Ms. Allen tried part-time work at the Homewood YMCA, but the cost of getting there ate up her pay. She's applied for part-time jobs closer to home, but needs the right combination of higher pay and workplace flexibility for dealing with issues that arise with her nephews.

"My life falls apart to maintain them," Ms. Allen said. "But I have to be there -- they're kids. They're my kids."

She's asking for help with gifts for Jordan and Deon. Like most boys their age, they like video games, sports gear and arts and crafts materials.

"The least little thing, I have learned, means so much to any kid," Ms. Allen said.

And for herself this Christmas?

"Just a smile on their face -- the kids, just a smile on their face. Them having something under the tree."

The Post-Gazette's Goodfellows Toy Fund, which supports Toys for Tots, aims to provide Christmas gifts for all needy and underprivileged children in Western Pennsylvania.

You can make a tax-deductible donation using the coupon on this page or contribute online at www.post-gazette.com/pgcharities.

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