The Greater Cincinnati CarePortal Fund

During this season, a family of 8 has had to put their money towards unexpected expenses and is fearful that they will not have the funds to have an Easter meal. This is always an important time for them to get together to celebrate this important occasion, so the thought of not being able to come together over food is not easy. Whether you would like to connect with the mother and donate a meal, or if it would be easier to just provide a gift card, she would be very thankful for either one. Please consider helping this family have a great meal for Easter. I requested $100, but this is just a suggestion, it could be whatever amount you are able to help with I know they would really appreciate it. Thanks!

Young mother of a 4 month old has been struggling with work and is trying to manage the expectations of her case. Mother has stated she needs help with sleep arrangements for her son. She has indicated they used a basinet, however, it is small for the baby and is very uncomfortable. Mother has been allowing the child to sleep with her, which we have been able to explain the dangers of that. Mother assumed a new basinet would be the answer, however, her advocate has helped her process how the child is already out growing one and would need a pack n play instead. We are requesting a pack n play for this mother and her child. If mother continues to allow the child to co-sleep with her due to poor child sleep arrangements, she may endanger her ability to close the case since co-sleeping is not allowed or frown upon by the agency of Department of Jobs and Family Services.

When a family has been displaced from their home, everything gets so much harder. This single mom of 3 is looking for help with a gas card to get back and forth to school as well as other appointments. Transportation has not yet been set up through the district and mom is currently bringing the kids from Cincinnati each day. Helping the family with this request will allow mom to focus on other things, such as finding safe and permanent housing for herself and her children. A gift card of any amount will be helpful for this family.

Please help a loving grandmother who took in her two grandsons send them to summer camp. She is employed and has worked hard to gather the funds needed, but isn't quite there. She applied for a scholarship the camp offered, and was approved which decreased the rates. However, due to a recent HVAC failure she had to take money out of her retirement to get a new one installed as the temperatures were very low. This unexpectant expense has made her budget tighter than she had predicted. She would like to send the boys to camp to give them new experiences, to encourage them to make friends with their peers, and keep them active over the summer. The family would be very grateful for a donation as this is a positive experience the kinship caregiver was hoping to be able to give her grandsons.

A single mother of three who works hard is in need of new beds for her teenage children. This mother has worked hard to get her own place that has more space for her three children to grow and have their own space. In this, they have outgrown their twin size beds. She would love to have her children be able to feel comfortable in their new home and new beds that they fit in would be perfect. I am requesting full size beds including mattresses, frames and comforters for her three children. Any help with this need would be so appreciated.

Support a great aunt provide her kinship children with an improved sleeping situation. This family of four recently moved into a home large enough to accommodate them all. At the same time, the family is experiencing an unexpected medical expense for the oldest child in the home. After having to pay out of pocket for the medical expense, travel for treatment, and accomodations for their stay, the caregiver is coming up short on funds she needs to finish furnishing the children's' bedroom. We are requesting assistance for a full over full sized bunk bed and new full sized mattresses. Due to the ages and behaviors of the children, this caregiver would prefer a bunk bed with tall railings on the top bunk and an attached ladder.

This single mom and her 3 kids have been living in a shelter but just transitioned out into their own apartment. Mom had been storing all their things in a storage unit but missed a couple payments and now is unable to access the unit. In order to have access to their belongings she needs to pay $250 by the 16th or could lose their unit and everything in it. Please consider helping this family get back on their feet and get their personal items back.

We work with families that are Kinship Care providers. This mother is in need of a stroller for the child that was recently placed in her home. Having the child placed in her home was something that she was not expecting and she doesn't have the money to purchase a stroller for the child. She is doing everything that she can to care for this child so she doesn't have to go Foster Care

The parent that we are working with has a child placed in her care through the Kinship program when the child was removed by JFS. She is in need of a new stroller for this child because the child has turned 1 year old and is on the heavier side an she is struggling carrying the child around. She does work but is struggling to take care of the bills and essentials for the child since this placement took place. She is working very hard to keep the child in her home and not placed in the foster care system.

This mom and daughter just recently moved out of the shelter and into their apartment. They have almost nothing in their apartment and are currently sleeping on the floor. I am working on securing beds but in the meantime an air mattress would be a life saver for this family! As well as some dishes (plates, cups, utensils) to get them started would be a huge help.

Items needed:

• Queen/King size air mattress
• Blankets
• Cups
• Plates
• Silverware

Thank you!

A child who relies on receiving nutrition primarily through a feeding tube has been reunified with mother. Mother is in the process of getting insurance and WIC in Kentucky where they are currently residing. The family is in need of Pediasure for the child while they wait for insurancel and WIC to take affect as they are starting to run low. The type needed can be ordered at the link below.

Go To Link

1 Case of Vanilla Pediasure Enertal formula through Abbott Medical is $49.
I can provide a shipping address for the family if need is granted,

As a parent, you want to do whatever you can to make sure that your children are comfortable and cared for. This mom is no different. The family is living in a 2 bedroom apartment and mom has chosen to give the bedrooms to her son and daughters. That means that mom has been sleeping on a pullout couch. Recently, the bed part of this couch broke leaving mom with no where to sleep. Mom is looking for a new pullout couch that she can use as a couch during the day and a bed at night. This item does not need to be new, gently used will be just fine for this family.