El Paso DHS is working with a single mother of a soon-to-be 1 year old daughter. Mom is employed and just rented her own apartment to gain more independence and permanency for herself and her daughter. Finances are limited and mother could use assistance in purchasing safety items for the home because her daughter is learning to walk. Assistance with Safety 1st multi-purpose appliance lock, 2-pack ($6.28 x 2 = $12.56); Safety 1st Safety Essentials Kit (46 pcs) ($8.90); Safety 1st Adhesive Magnetic Lock System-4 locks and 1 key ($26.98) OR like items would be greatly appreciated. Child is also just a few pounds from moving up in her car seat size and could benefit from a car seat that fits a child 30+ lbs (Car Seat (child 30+ lbs) ($89.98)). These safety items will ensure that the baby has a safe place to explore and reducing the risk of injuries as well as ensuring safe transportation for the child to the babysitter and necessary appointments.

Yesterday a child was placed from foster care to live with his aunt. The aunt received only a small child's backpack and small bin with clothing items. This child does not have any winter clothes/gear. The aunt had to purchase a few outfits, shoes, and diapers for the child already today and is in need of funds for some more items. DHS is working on obtaining a bed and bedding. This aunt is a single mother to her three children and has now added her 4 year old autistic nephew in her home. She is a single working mother and wants to ensure she can meet her nephews needs. She would benefit from a gift card to purchase some winter gear, diapers/wipes, and sensory toys for him. If this need is met she can budget her paychecks to ensure she has leftover money for the upcoming holidays.

The day before Thanksgiving, two children ages 4 and 10 had their placement give notice leading them to move right before the holiday. A kin-like provider was able to be identified and him and his wife took the kids in with no hesitation. The children have been settling in well and the providers are finding themselves paying for gas to 2 visits with parents per week, beds for both kids, new clothes, food and Christmas coming up. This family would benefit from a gift card to off set some costs around the holidays. This would help the family ensure they have gifts and enough food for the holidays. If this need is met, finances will be one less thing to stress about for this family.

A aunt has suddenly taken in her niece (12) and nephew (12) after mother was arrested. The aunt has been able to rearrange her work schedule to accommodate having the children, searching for therapy and after school activities. The aunt is now a single caregiver with one income for 3 people. In order for the kids to virtually visit their mom, it costs $10 per visit. Aunt is having to pay for these visits in order for the kids to see their mom on a consistent basis. The aunt would benefit from a Visa gift card to load on the account to purchase visits. If a Visa is not obtainable, then a Walmart gift card can offset costs elsewhere for the family. This would benefit the children during these hard times around the holidays.

Mother of the three children is in a sober living program and is requesting rental assistance. Children live with maternal grandmother and are aged 9, 7 and 1 years old. This request helps Mother to continue her treatment and to get herself on track so she can eventually parent her children again. This mother is in a sober living program in Aurora and is secured full time employment while staying on track with her sobriety. She has been sober for 53 days and is requesting help so she can continue the positive trajectory.

The grandmother of a 1 year old boy who just received placement of him and is also handling the passing of her mother. She is in need of assistance with rent. She is working to provide for her grandson until he can return to his parents, she is working to get the child's ongoing services and therapies arranged to allow her to be more time efficient for her employer which would allow her to continue to provide for the child. Any assistance that could be provided would allow this grandmother to not have to move her grandchild again.

A single mom is in need of assistance with getting Christmas presents for her young daughter. She is requesting a gift card because her kiddo's likes and dislikes change frequently. They have had a rough year this year, and mom just wants to be able to have gifts under the tree. She is on disability and is unable to work. Any assistance with this need is greatly appreciated.

CASA has a case with two teen girls who were removed from the care of a family friend for sexually abusing them and physically abusing them in extreme ways. Their mother was deported years ago so they have been couch surfing for years. One of the youth is placed with her best friend and their parents and are a very low income family. They are getting no financial support to house and care for this teen. CASA is asking for help securing groceries for the home. Thank you!

The Department of Human Services is working with a single mother of two children, one of the children is a 3 y/o boy that is working on potty training. Mother could use help with a box of pull-ups, size 6 or 7. The Department is able to provide a limited supply of pull-ups and mother is currently looking for work and income is limited in the household. This help will ensure that she can continue to potty train her son without the worry of accidents in his clothes and preventing any rashes by keeping him in dry pull ups.

CASA has a case with a teen boy who is now living with his young adult sister, who has two children of her own. This sister works fulltime, but still struggles with finances and does not get any compensation to care for her teen brother. CASA is requesting a grocery gift card to Safeway or Walmart, as she lives near those stores and does not have reliable transportation. Thank you for considering helping with this!

A kinship provider is currently caring for a 16-year-old boy. The kinship provider also has five children of her own that live in the home. This provider is on a fixed income and they are struggling financially and do not have the means to purchase groceries for the household. The family is asking for help with a gift card to Walmart or King Soopers to help purchase groceries. Any help is appreciated, thank you!

CASA has a case with two young children (2.5-year-old girl and 1-year-old boy) who are now living with their grandmother after being abandoned and neglected by mother and the boy was abused and still requires medical care as follow-up from the abuse. Grandma could really use help with groceries as she is caring for three other grandchildren fulltime and is low income. CASA is requesting help with groceries. Thank you!

CASA has a new case that has four children on it who experienced pretty significant physical abuse, mental/emotional abuse and medical neglect. The children were witness to domestic violence as well and had many bruises and injuries on them when removed from their parents' care. The children have no clothing or supplies when they were removed. CASA is asking for a gift card to Walmart for at least $400 and will also be using our resources here for clothing, school supplies, toiletries, etc. Thank you for considering supporting these youngsters going through a really hard time!

A grandmother who will be caring for her grandchild needs a bassinet. The child's father is in prison and is unable to help provide for his child.

I am working with a family who has a 6 year old child, that is living in two separate homes. The parents need assistance in ensuring the child is safe at all times, and receiving disciplinary measures that are not creating a harmful environment for the child. This request will help the family, who is struggling financially to provide a doorknob with no locks, and indoor cameras. Links to items needed are below.

The department is working with maternal grandparents who are trying to provide for their 3 grandchildren ages 17 who has a 2 years old baby, 7 years and 5 years old. The family is struggling financially and is asking for some assistance with a gift card for gas $500 to ensure the children are able to attend school and important appointments. Also a gift card for food $500 to assure the children get good nutrition. The 7 years old has Down Syndrome and a vascular brain disease. He had 2 brain surgeries. “Moya Moya syndrome”. Prognosis with treatment and monitoring overlaps with spectrum down syndrome. He has been having seizures since he is 18 months, but now they are under control. He has an intellectual disability. He is not verbal, expressing aggression and physically struggling to go up and down stairs. The 5 year old has behavioral issues and is in therapy. Assistance with gift card for gas for $500 and $500 gift card for food is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your generosity!

Hi CarePortal, El Paso County Department of Human Services is working with a single mother and her three kids. Their apartment recently flooded and they had to get rid of all of their beds. Mom kept one mattress but it is not good any more. They are in need of a queen size mattress, box spring and frame. They would like it to be delivered by church members. Thank you for you help!

A parent is struggling financially. Their child just returned home from foster care last month. They recently had their car broken into which damaged her ignition and impacting her ability to be able to work. She is employed but not currently receiving any income. She was reluctant to ask for help and and feeling defeated due to a cluster of circumstances. She is in the process of getting the ignition repaired, however, she is now behind on her rent in the amount of $2200. This parent is currently working with a life skills worker and has attempted to utilize additional community resources but has exhausted many. Client is asking for assistance in paying rent.

A teen youth that has been in care for a significant amount of time is working towards building independent living skills and would like to be able to access professionals and build responsibility. He has requested assistance getting a monitored cell phone equipped with safety and parental controls. He is not currently able to work due to his complete new independent tasks such as walking to the park alone, participating in new activities, and building accountability. This youth has goals to become more healthy, develop positive boundaries, and reconnect with informal supports to help build his support network while he is in care. The link to review and purchase is below. Thank you for your consideration

The department is working with a family that will be kicked out of their grandma's place on November 30th, where two kids were residing with their mom. Mom of the kids is unable to start applying for places to live until 7 days after they will be kicked out from their grandmothers home due to need the 6th pay stub. The mom and the two kids are in need of a place to stay until they can apply for a new apartment. We are asking for some gift cards to provide the family a safe and temporary place to live for the time being. With the gift cards, mom can pay for a hotel for 7-10days. Thank you all for your generosity! It is highly appreciated by the family. The family is looking for a safe place to live until they transition to their new home.