This donation request is being made on behalf of a young mother of four who recently gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Mother is struggling with many obstacles this holiday season; managing her severe epilepsy, cooperating with The Department of Children and Family Services during her open case and experiencing homelessness. All while fighting to avoid post-partum depression. Clothes in a size 3X and size 6 shoes would help this mother tremendously and, thus, keep her warm this holiday season. Anything would be greatly appreciated

Good Morning, I am the Case Manager for a high school student that is in current need of a new bed. The mother is requesting $300 to help purchase the students bed. The mother was offered a great opportunity from a closing furniture store to purchase a bed, frame, and mattress (suitable for clients need) at only $300. Otherwise, the mother will need to spend more money to buy a queen sized mattress and bed for the student. The student is heavier set and requires a bigger bed. The mother is not working full-time and therefore cannot afford purchasing a bed on her own. The income that comes in from her job only covers the basic household needs. I have assessed the situations and can confirm the client is sleeping on a broken bed. Without our support the clients mental and physical health is at risk due to the interruptions in her sleep. Thank you in advance!

My caregiver is currently caring for her two nieces who are 12 years old and 7 years old that were placed in her care June of last year. They are in urgent need of financial assistance as the caregiver has been unable to catch up with her past due rent since losing her job this summer. My caregiver has since been hired at a new job that is beginning in December. She has shown resilience and commitment to maintaining her nieces in her care by actively looking for work and resources to help her save money on her expenses. Assisting my caregiver with her past due rent will help not only maintain this family’s current living situation, but also prevent them from eviction and possibly losing their section 8 voucher. My caregiver is determined to get back on her feet and stay on top of her finances for her nieces placed in her care and her own two children.

TAY's birthday is coming up and has never had the opportunity to celebrate her birthday due to past traumas. TAY stated having a target gift card allows them the opportunity to make personal choices, fostering a sense of agency and rebuilding a positive connection with their own needs and preferences despite them never having the opportunity to celebrate themselves. TAY requested Target Gift Card and Bath N Body works gift card

Father has been very consistent with the Court Ordered case plan. The father’s progress has demonstrated he is capable of changing his lifestyle. The court recently ordered overnight visits with the children. The Department is currently assessing father’s visits so that we can liberalize and release the children to father. Father is employed through a temp agency and has been consistent with his employer for about three months. Father currently resides in an outpatient housing program with another program roommate so the children would not be able to live there. Since the father is working a full-time job, he is trying to save money to find his own housing so that he can have a home for the children. Father has a suspended license due to unpaid DUI fees and DMV is asking him to pay $1400 and take classes to reinstate his license. He has a vehicle but is not able to drive it. This is challenging for him when trying to pick up kids since he has to find someone (pays them) to drive for him since he cannot drive. The children are very bonded with father and are very happy when they’re with him. He is very hands-on with the children. The social worker has talked to his program case manager and staff and everyone has nothing but positive things to say about this father and his successful progress. He is demonstrating that he is motivated to make a change in changing his lifestyle and any support would be helpful to assist him with reunifying with his children successfully.

I am currently working with a single mother of six children. Family went through a rapid relocation and were only able to retrieve clothing items and small personal necessities from previous home. Mother recently received placement into a new home, but unfortunately due to rapid changes mother does not have funds to purchase twin beds for her children. Parent is in need of four twin beds and a twin bunk bed. Due to current status, children sleep on an inflatable mattress on the floor. Mother hopes to receive beds during the holidays to bring a sense of joy into her children's life's after these difficult times. Mother is working on utilities and additional furniture for their house. Receiving four twin beds and bunk bed would help mother with additional support in stability. The help will provide another level of comfort and support for the mother and family. Receiving beds will assist family to have a safe and warm bed during these cold nights and will help the house feel like a home to them. Thank you in advance for your consideration in supporting this family, any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Working with a parent who is part of the DCFS workload, the worker reached out for a bit of assistance with his mother's situation. We helped create a plan that ensured the mother/minor's safety and well-being. The family is currently homeless and living in their car. Mother has stage two cancer and custody of her children. DCFS is currently in the process of securing stable housing for the mother. However, it will be two more weeks before the family can move into their home. As a result, the worker reached out for assistance in any way she needed, such as paying for a hotel room. DCFS is able to provided coverage for a week. And we are wondering if someone might be able to cover the second week which would be 11/28/2023 through 12/05/2023. The cost is $99 per night, a total cost of $693 for 7 nights. She is currently at the Bellflower.

This family has been participating in the SHIELDS Family Preservation program since September 2023. The mother of two small children are requesting assistance with the purchase of a highchair, a walker, and a large toilet training seat. The 10-month-old infant was born prematurely, so he is developmentally delayed. A highchair would benefit him in being able to sit and learn how to feed himself. Additionally, a walker would benefit the infant in being able to strengthen his leg muscles, as he prepares to learn how to walk. Lastly, a large toilet training seat is being requested for the 2-year-old toddler, as she is overweight and unable to fit in a standard toilet training seat.

Good afternoon, I am the Case Manager of a student who is in current need of a new bed frame, and a mattress. The mother's finances are currently restricted, and the child reached out to me, in an attempt to alleviate the mothers' financial strain. The child we service is receiving mental health services. The child has excelled academically over the course of the academic year, but the disturbance in her sleep is causing a decrease in her academic standing. The child cannot make use of her current bed any longer, hence it is broken. The family's financial restrain has made it difficult to purchase a new bedframe, and a mattress for the child. I have spoken to the family and determined that the child will benefit from having a place other than her broken bed obtain adequate rest. Due to the clients size, she needs a bigger bed, in her case a queen bed. The child and her mother are consistent with reaching out for support and our organization is devoted to helping her and her family reach their overall gals. I have exhausted all other resource portals. We thank you in advance for your assistance, it would be extremely appreciated.

Mother was a foster youth as a child. Mother now has 3 children; however, due to domestic violence and the parents being unable to follow court orders mother was unable to remain custody of her children. Since then, mother has worked tirelessly to learn, grow and gain insight about the circumstances which led her to DCFS involvement. Mother has completely turned around her focus on learning from this experience and has completed the court ordered programs. The only barrier at this time to Mother’s reunification is to secure housing for herself and the children, which she has now successfully completed. Now mother is in need of support for the purchase of a refrigerator and a dining table for the home. Once she has secured all utilities and appliances, DCFS can walk on a request to reunify the children with Mother.

Client is a 30-year-old mother who has a 12-month-old baby and two children over the age of 5. The client does not work as the client is the primary caregiver for the children. Client's partner is the only one who works but has a hard time making ends meet. The family has difficulties affording a new stroller. The client does not work and does not receive government support. The client has no financial support from anyone other than her partner. The client does not drive, and the family only has one vehicle that the partner uses to travel to work. The client is in need of a Stoller for the baby, who has been rapidly growing, and would benefit the baby and client getting to and from places they need to go. The client has been reaching out to resources and links given to her, and after many attempts have been made, no Stoller has been obtained. The client has been with the program for a little over five months and has complied with the program. The client is open to home visits and has completed some of her goals. The client has always reached out to resources given to her and has been able to obtain other baby items. The client is thankful for the services and support received. If the client receives a stroller, the baby will be able to continue her milestones and be a healthy baby along with her mom. Thank you.

The father is the primary caregiver for his three sons (12,13,15). Father is a senior citizen and currently on disability due to long term illness. The family is on a fixed income and has a limited support system. Recently the stove in the family home stopped working. Father reported that he purchased a pre-owned stove when he moved into the apartment. The apartment did not provide a stove for the home, so father is responsible for replacing the broken item. Due to having a fixed income father is unable to purchase a new stove and get it installed properly. Father is concerned that he will not be able to provide his children with an adequate meal during the upcoming holidays and continue to meet the boys nutritional needs. The family had a standard size gas stove (30 inches). 30 in. 4.8 cu. ft. Freestanding Gas Range in Black

Hello, I am a Case Manager attempting to strengthen a bio family. I am requesting assistance in providing a dresser for the mother, who recently gave birth to her newborn baby. The Mother and her partner are currently living in a converted shed with just the financial means to pay the rent, in result they are unable to purchase a proper dresser for their baby. The Mother delivered her baby just last week and is still recovering, both physically and mentally. Once she has fully recovered, she plans to sign up for therapeutic services to support her mental health, as she is afraid of experiencing postpartum depression due to the stress of her financial situation. The Mother's partner works as a car washer and is doing all he can to support the mother and their newborn baby. However, his income is limited and not enough to cover purchasing a safe dresser for their child. I humbly request that your organization helps the mother and her newborn obtain a dresser, so the baby has a proper place for clothing and diapers. This would greatly relieve the stress on this new mother as she recovers and bonds with her child.

Mother has reunified with her three children and court ordered 1 year of Family Reunification services. Mother is currently employed; however, mother has not purchased furniture for the home, as she is the sole provider for the family and ix focused on providing the children’s basic needs such as food and shelter. Currently, the family is in need of 2 dressers for the children’s clothing, couches for the living room, and a headboard for mother’s queen size bed.

In our community, we have a single mother who has a stove that is hazardous. When the gas is turned on, the unit leaks gas. As soon as a SoCal representative arrived to inspect the stove, they informed the family that the stove would need to be replaced in its entirety. Due to the family's financial struggles, they cannot afford a new stove at the moment due to their limited funds. Mother stated that she has a bit of money saved and is asking for help with the remaining funds. The family desperately needs a stove to heat their home and cook their food. Without one, the mother will not feed her children healthy meals. The mom sent me some photos of the current stove and it is in really deteriorated shape. Mother got SSI ($1000) for one child and is in the process of applying for another. Mom have three special needs children. She gets cal fresh and WIC as well.