The boy helped his family during the great depression first by not telling his mother that his father did not have a real job. In the story it says that the boy did not want his mother and father to separate. Also in the story it says he helped by starting to be a newsie, selling newspaper. Lastly,in the story it says he gave his money to his mother. This shows that he is proud to have a job and helped his family. This reminds me of when my grandmother gave me a job with real money, just like the boy in the story.