Supporting those who "cannot afford to take a day off"

When a child runs a fever, every parent naturally wants to be by their side.
However, for single-parent families, this "natural" desire can sometimes become a significant risk.
Taking time off work means a loss of income.
Repeated absences may jeopardize one’s position in the workplace.
The reality of "having no choice but to stay home" can threaten the very foundation of their livelihood.
To support these families, Florence provides affordable sick child care services. To date, we have supported a cumulative total of approximately 2,000 children.

"Knowing someone is there to support me"

In April 2011, shortly after the Great East Japan Earthquake, Ms. Matsushima (pseudonym), living in Tokyo, had just begun her new life as a single parent.
She was re-entering the workforce after being a full-time homemaker, carrying the sole responsibility of raising two young children. Her parents' home, which she had relied on, was affected by the disaster, making it difficult to ask for help. Ms. Matsushima felt increasingly cornered.
"When you are struggling the most and feeling emotionally vulnerable, it’s hard to even reach out for advice. To balance work and parenting, I couldn't even afford to catch a cold. The daily tension was agonizing."
In the midst of those strained days, she discovered Florence’s "Single-Parent Support Plan," funded by donations.
She says she didn't actually use the service many times. Nevertheless, for Ms. Matsushima, its existence meant more than just a service.

"Knowing that if anything happens, someone is there to support me."
This thought alone lightened her heart as she worked desperately to raise her children. Affordable sick child care was not just assistance; it was a message from society saying, "You are not alone."

From "Being Supported" to "Providing Support"

As time passed, Ms. Matsushima gradually rebuilt her life while changing jobs. During this process, a new desire began to grow: "I want to work with children."
She realized that the support she once received was the reason she was where she is today. Having someone she could lean on back then gave her the strength to move forward.
This realization led her to obtain her certification as a childcare worker. Today, Ms. Matsushima stands on the other side as a member of Florence’s sick child care staff.
One day, while visiting a single-parent household, she met a mother who was exhausted yet doing her absolute best for her child. She saw her former self in that mother.
"It’s okay. You can lean on me today."
When a parent returns from work and breathes a sigh of relief upon seeing their child's face—witnessing that expression of relief is what makes Ms. Matsushima's work worthwhile now.
She says:
"I believe sick child care is not just about looking after the child; it’s about caring for the parent as well."

Toward a Society Where We Support Child-Rearing Together

There are many families carrying the burden of childcare alone, struggling without anyone to rely on. In many cases, the days go by with them "unable to raise their voices, even as they approach their limit."
Florence’s sick child care is a system designed to act as a safety net, delivering support when and where it is needed most.
As in Ms. Matsushima’s case, the experience of being supported eventually transforms into the strength to support someone else. Your donations are what create this cycle of care.
To ensure that more families can feel that "someone is there to support them," your contribution through the Tokyo Marathon 2027 Charity marks a vital first step.

The donations we receive will be dedicated to bringing more smiles to parents and children in need. We would love for you to run for us as a Florence charity runner!
For details, please wait for the announcement of the entry requirements (scheduled for late June).

Florence, a certified non-profit organization, is an official charity of the Tokyo Marathon Foundation Charity RUN with HEART.

We share our daily updates on social media (in Japanese only).

e-mail：kifu@florence.or.jp
Website：https://florence.or.jp/english/

Facebook：https://www.facebook.com/npo.florence
Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/npoflorence/
X ：https://x.com/sprflorence
YouTube：https://www.youtube.com/@npo-florence