The Change Reaction

Please help strengthen a bio- family. The family successfully obtained custody of their children and made significant improvements in their ability to keep their children safe. The family is now reunited. However, they are facing a new challenge. Given the recent increase in ICE raids, the family is being directly impacted as the parents are having a hard time leaving to work as they fear they will be picked up by ICE agents. The family is undocumented and attending food banks, but it has not been enough. The family of four is struggling and living day to day with what little they are able to buy to feed their young children. When we recently met with the family at their home, we observed an almost empty refrigerator as the family is unable to afford groceries. Can you please help this family with a $100 gift card so that they may buy groceries?

Single mother of 4 children (ages 15, 10, 7, 3) is in need of clothing, shoes and backpacks to start school on August 11th. This mother has been on her own since the father was arrested, eventually released, and refuses to offer financial support.

She has been a resident of Lake Elsinore for 8 years and has been existing on food stamps & Section 8 housing. She has been looking for a job for over a year without success. She would love to eventually get off public assistance.

Needs described here:

Girl, 15: Clothing size Woman's SMALL; likes jeans. Shoe size Woman's 8. Colors: black, navy blue, olive green, plaid. Shoes -- combat style. Backpack - black, tactical (with pockets, attachments).

Boy, 10: Size 10-12; likes anything. Shoes/boots size 5. Colors: green. Backpack - green patterns.

Girl, 7: Size 8, likes yellow. Shoe size 1. Backpack - unicorns.

Girl, 3: Size 5. Shoe size 12. Backpack - blue patterned.

She also has a car in severe disrepair. If anyone has ideas on this front, let us know. Thank you.

We have a family who is struggling financially and are unable to get a crib for the 5 months old boy. The parents are dealing with unexpected expenses related to a very expensive surgery that the 5 years old needs to have as soon as possible due to a medical diagnosis. The parents are hopeful to be able to overcome the current struggles they are facing financially to be able to continue providing safe environment for the children to thrive. Currently the parents are co-sleeping with the 5-month-old, and are in need of a crib and sheets so that the baby can sleep independently. The parents are not able to afford purchasing a crib at this time. Providing these basic necessities would diminish the emotional stressors on the family. By fulfilling this request, it would help the Department reduce the family's financial burden and help prevent court involvement and ensure family stability.

The household consists of a single mother and her three children—two boys, ages 11 and 6, and a 5-month-old daughter. The mother is incredibly resilient and has navigated many challenges throughout her journey in motherhood. At present, she is unemployed and under significant stress due to the father's absence from the home and his lack of support, particularly in caring for their 6-year-old son, who has been diagnosed with autism and requires high levels of care. The family lives in a single-family home with very worn furniture and limited clothing. Currently, the mother shares a mattress with both of her sons and her infant daughter. To help improve their living conditions and promote the children’s safety and comfort, the Department would like to assist the family in obtaining the following items: a trundle bed. Providing these basic necessities would not only ease the mother’s emotional and financial burdens but also allow the children to have their own beds, helping them get proper rest to start their days well. The family is really in need of the bed and bedding.

Relative caregiver is Maternal Great Grandmother to 1 1/2 year old boy. Child was recently placed as a result of a DCFS investigation alleging physical abuse to 2 month old siblings (twins) by parents. Due to expediency of emergency placement, the caregiver was not adequately equipped and is found in need of a dresser to store child's clothing.

Current Emergency Response Social Worker met with the family and found mother and child recently arrived in the US and began living with strangers who took them in off the streets. The environment with this new family was not helpful for child’s fragile mental health, as she was already experienced sexual abuse and physical abuse and witnessed severe domestic violence between mother and father. Over the course of the week, mother was able to rent a new room in LA 90001 to help alleviate some stress and anxiety for her child. Mother is in need of a small/slim refrigerator for food storage. (Please see attachment) Home Depot Vissani 10.1 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator in Black Cost 379.00

This family came to the attention of DCFS due to allegations of domestic violence by father against mother in front of their two children. There is a boy, age 6, and a girl, age 4. Mother has recently relocated herself and the children to a new home without father. Mother has limited resources and is in need of a sofa bed, twin bedding set including comforter and a king size bedding set including comforter.

Filling this need will help reduce stress and anxiety for mom, therefore increasing protective factors for the children and improving the general well-being of the entire family.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Caregiver and minor needs the following household items and furniture; Twin size bed with twin size bedding for minor, a computer desk, 3-4 Stools for kitchen island, and Patio furniture for small balcony. The caregiver has been caring for the minor for the last 5-years since the murder of her daughter (the biological mother of the minor) by daughter’s previous partner (minors’ father); when the child was a toddler. Caregiver has had to mourn the loss of her daughter and has not been able to work as the murder happened in front of them (caregiver and child) and has been struggling financially to save money to purchase the household items and furniture for the new low-income apartment she was able to secure after a long year wait. Caregiver is committed to maintaining her family together and adopt the minor soon to provide permanency and stability. The main reason I am requesting this need to be fulfilled is because the caregiver needs support to continue providing a safe environment for the child. If the family is unable to receive the assistance with the required household items/furniture the minor would have to continue to sleep in the same bed with the caregiver and the minor express wanting to have his own bed and area. This need is being requested through Care Portal because unfortunately DCFS does not provide these items. The estimated cost of the need/s being requested is approximately $1,255

This family was living in a multi-generational home when the Los Angeles fires struck and destroyed everything. Since then, they’ve been couch surfing and bouncing between temporary stays in search of stability. They eventually secured a rental, but the rent is inflated, and the landlord has taken advantage of their urgent need for housing.

They’ve borrowed from family, taken out loans, and scoured thrift stores just to furnish the bare essentials. On move-in day, a faulty washer flooded the home. The landlord has refused to replace it or repair the damage, and now they must cover those costs themselves.

At the heart of this family is a mother who is a tireless advocate for foster youth and underserved communities. She spends her days fighting for children facing unimaginable challenges, always showing up with compassion and strength. She gives to others freely, even when she’s the one in need.

Financial support would ease the heavy burden they’re carrying and help them purchase basic household necessities like bedding, cleaning supplies, and other essentials. Your consideration means so much to a family that has given so much of themselves to others.

We are working with a single mother and despite her consistent dedication as a parent to her three children, she needs a baby carrier for her newborn. With limited financial resources and minimal access to essential baby items, a carrier would make a significant difference in her daily life—allowing her to safely and comfortably care for her newborn while also tending to the needs of her other children. Your support in providing this essential item would directly help a hardworking mother create a more stable, nurturing environment for her family.

We are working with a devoted mother who has worked diligently to overcome significant personal challenges and has successfully reunified with her children. She is currently enrolled in online school, focused on building a stable and positive future for her family.

Despite her dedication and hard work, she is currently facing financial limitations and is unable to purchase a new car seat for her young child, who has recently outgrown the previous one. A safe and appropriate car seat is essential for her child’s well-being. Additionally, she needs sensitive diapers (size 6 and size 8) to help meet her children’s basic needs.

Any support you can provide would make a meaningful difference as mother continues her journey toward long-term growth and stability. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Relative Caregiver recently moved and is in the process of getting RFA approved. The two children currently reside with caregiver. The younger child is in need of a bed. The older child is in need of a desk and chair in preparation of the upcoming school year.