Hands of Hope

A brother and sister have been placed in the relative care of their aunt due to unsafe living conditions. Placement has just moved into a new apartment and has had to cover many expenses in the last month. Placement is requesting a full-sized bed frame (placement already has a full-size mattress w box spring), full size sheets and comforter, and extra pillows for the male relative child. For his sister, placement is requesting a queen size comforter and sheet set, in addition to extra pillows as well.

Child was removed from previous placement due to concerns. He was placed in emergency kinship/relative care however, the home is small and unable to fit too much furniture. Due to the space available in the home, we are requesting bunkbeds so the placement's child and our child can share a room which will also allow them space to play. Walmart has a bunk bed frame and two mattresses that add up to a little under $350. Bunk bed can be new or gently used if needed.

A 15 year old child is currently in placement with her 21 year old sister. This is the only place she can go after the child was removed due to an altercation with her mother. The child has asked FCM for a dresser to put her clothes into. Sister is struggling financially after taking on her sister so abruptly. FCM wants to make the child's emergency placement with her sister more comfortable and not place so much financial strain onto sister.

Mother is caring for her teenage daughter and due the family's situation Mother and child are in need of different items. Mother and child have identified some needs they are struggling to obtain before DCS exits with the family.

A family has recently went through a tragic loss of their child and is now being asked to leave their home. While the family is attempting to locate a new residence, they are hopeful for totes to help preserve their deceased child's belongings in storage. Please assist the family in storing their child's belongings by providing totes. This family has suffered a great loss.

Single mother of two young children. Mother is currently only employed part-time, and is struggling to obtain full time employment. Mother recently moved back to this area, and only has immediate family as supports. Mother is struggling to cover essentials, but has been able to with assistance. Recently, the mother’s dryer broke and this has caused great difficulty on mom. Mother has been transporting clothing across town multiple times a week to a family members. Her housing has a laundry mat, but it is small and is shared with the entire community, so availability is scarce. We are looking for assistance in providing an electric dryer for mother so that she can hopefully reduce the number of miles she is driving while she continues to search for employment.

We are working to preserve a kinship placement. The kiddo's are in desperate need of a bunk bed and bedding for a 6 year old little boy and 4 year old little girl. Currently they have separate futon style beds in a small bedroom. They have nowhere to play, a bunk bed would give them some much needed space to enjoy their placement and make their transition smoother! Any help would be greatly appreciated by the family and the kids.

Grandmother is caring for her 4 grandchildren that she has placement of. She is on limited to no income and is in need of diapers/wipes for 2 of the 4 children. Need is described below:

• Female child who is 2 is in size 6 diapers - any brand of diapers but in need of 2 boxes - roughly $70
• Female child who is 3 in is pull ups size 4T/5T - any brand but in need of 2 boxes - roughly $50
• Box of Wipes - unscented/fragrance free due to sensitivity of the 2 children. - roughly $24

This youth was recently placed with her grandparents. The relative requested assistance with acquiring a twin bedframe. Fulfilling this need will help to maintain this child in relative placement.

A teen girl is placed in kinship care with a single mother and the mother's son here in Peru. The mother wants to provide a permanent and safe environment for the teen girl. The mother and her son both work at a restaurant to support the household. Caring for another teen has set the mother back some, as their food stamps were canceled because the teen placement receives RSDI benefits from her deceased father. They are needing groceries to help free up money for other bills/finances. Assistance with groceries would help the family feel less stress overall and would help ensure the placement can maintain and meet the needs of both children in her home.

working a single mother of two who is currently involved in domestic violence situation. Mother is 23 years old and currently not working and had to move back in with her mother. Mother is in need of diapers and formula for the baby. Her children are at the ages of 7 months and 4.

A single mother of three is in need of a small fence to be installed from the front of her home to the back of the home in front of hers to keep her 4-year-old son who is non-verbal and on the autism spectrum in a safe space in their yard. Her home is a converted garage and her landlord's home (the home in front of hers) sits on a busy street. Currently there is no way to keep her son from running around the front house and into the street when he is playing outside. This child loves to play outside and needs to have a safe space to do so. Mother works full time and has worked hard at being reunited with her child. Her case is nearing closure at the end of this month, and this would be a great way to prevent a safety risk for her and her son. The distance between the houses is approximately 10 yards.