True North Church

A single mother is trying to reunify with her son and just started working in Riverside county. She originally lost her income when the child was removed, as she was receiving SSI for the child's special needs. Due to the child's complex needs the only foster home found was far from mother's current home address. She is also facing an eviction and financial struggles with taking food or clothing items for her child during her visits. She was able to purchase a very inexpensive used car from a friend with payments from her new job. She has already spent her first worked income on basic necessities and getting the car smogged and registered. The car now needs tires to be able to be driven safely. By assisting the mother with the purchase of the tires, it will allow her to maintain her new job, prevent her from being evicted, allo wher to continue completing her court orders and allow her to meet the foster parent half way for more visits with her son to help her reunify with him. Any donation woul dbe appreciated. See link for Walmart tires. Go To Link

I have been working with the parents of a baby who was born on 8/13/24 (almost 2 years old now). At the time of the baby's birth, they were struggling with substance abuse. Court denied reunification services, but the parents were determined to do whatever was necessary to prove that they could take the necessary steps to be able to parent their baby. On their own, they both (separately) completed extensive inpatient treatment programs, and then continued participating in outpatient services. They visited the baby regularly. In late 2024 they petitioned the court and were granted reunification services. Since then, they have maintained their sobriety, secured employment, and, most recently housing. Recently, they moved into a 2-bedroom apartment and the baby is being returned to their care. The parents have everything they need for the child, as that has been their priority. Other than that, they have very little for their new home. They need a bed, a dresser and a lamp. These parents have worked so hard, never given up; I have seen such a huge change in them. I'm very proud of all they have overcome and accomplished. I'd really like to help as they start their new life. Thank you in advance.

Please note: I submitted a request for this family for a stove and a couch; they were able to find a couch and their own and they decided they could live without a stove for now. So, this request is for the other items they still need.

This devoted caregiver -65-year-old great aunt—has recently welcomed her 12-month-old nephew into her home. Living in a small senior apartment with limited space, she is doing her best to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the child in her care. Currently, the child’s car seat and stroller were kindly donated but are extremely worn and no longer fit properly. The bulky stroller also takes up most of the child’s play area, limiting his ability to move and grow. Due to recent car expenses and low income, she does not have enough funds saved to purchase a new car seat and stroller. This request is for a combined infant/toddler car seat and stroller—known as a “travel system”—which would not only greatly improve safety during travel, but also free up much-needed room at home for the child, encouraging healthy physical development. This would make a meaningful difference in their daily life and help the caregiver shift her focus on engaging in child enrichment activities in the community, and continue providing the best care possible.

A victim of domestic violence and single mother of three children who completed a parenting, DV program, DV support group and individual counseling is achieving independence and about to have her DCFS closed by court next month as she has been able to keep her children safe. However, as she navigates the journey toward financial independence, she is also adjusting to the rising cost of living and having her children home for summer. Mother has been resourceful with applying for Cal Fresh and viisting local food pantries but is still running low on food this summer. This is a challenging time for her, and any assistance for the family would greatly be appreciated. Family is in need of a food gift card to Walmart or any other super market in the area to help feed the children fo rtherest of the summer.

An aging out foster youth who has been in care for over 9 years idue to neglect and abuse from both a parent and a past caregiver is in need of household items as she moves out of foster care. She became pregnant as a teen and she and her fiance saved to be able to get their own apartment. Both work full time, and care for their baby together. Youth will starting an EKG program in the fall, and the fiancé is attending community college as well. Their income is limited and they spent their savings for the move and larger furniture, but are in need of a toaster, a comforter set, bathroom set, silverware set, cotton towels, and kitchen tool set. Youth does not have the financial support of any parents or family. Youth would greatly appreciate any donation and Amazon links are provided below: Go To Link Go To Link Go To Link Go To Link Go To Link

Youth is a 14 year old who boy recently was placed back with his mom on a 60 day trial. Mom has medical disabilities that make it hard for her to do some tasks. Now that Youth is back in the home, we are asking for assistance for mom with hauling away old furniture to clear out space, moving furniture to accommodate Youth and also an adult sibling with special needs that is moving into the home, and cleaning and painting the bedroom. This family would benefit from support from a community that wants to be hands on and engage with them.

The haul away is for furniture and could likely be done with a pickup or truck for a community that wanted to meet the family and help in that way.

Who needs help? Client has recently become a kinship caregiver to grandchildren, due to several CPS cases active with bio mom, Caregiver is living in an air bnb trailer for the last 3 months and is having a hard time paying for rent food and now taking care of grandchildren, we are looking for support the caregiver and family during this difficult time. What do they need? looking for gift card to go grocery shopping or support is getting food for her family, family is having a hard time with monthly bills at the moment and was not prepared to take in grandchildren.
Client is having a hard time playing catch up with the unplanned situation client is looking for food for the next couple weeks/ month to support the other needs like bills and rent. Caregiver is really having a hard time at the moment with the child moving into an already temp. housing placement. Getting food will ease some of the stress and will help her take care of some other bills.

The clients are grandparents in their 60s, and they’ve been the primary caregivers for their 2 granddaughters (ages 16yo and 8yo) for the last 18 months as their son (the bio-dad) passed away. The bio-mom has unfortunately not been able to provide care to the girls, as she’s dealing with mental health issues and substance use disorder. When the girls first came into the clients’ care, the family was able to financially meet most of the household’s needs, despite being on a fixed income. Both grandparents receive social security benefits, and that was where most of the family’s financial assistance came from. However, in April 2024, Grandma’s social security disability funding stopped. Grandma was able to get her social security disability funding back in January 2025 (for the full amount previously awarded). Unfortunately, due to the 10 months where social security funding was stopped, the family fell behind on their finances. The YMCA Kinship Support Program was able to provide financial assistance for back-rent owed, but we’re hoping the family can receive financial assistance so that they get caught up on their past due SDGE bill ($383) AND the family can receive some new, comfortable bedding for the girls (a twin-sized sheet set and a full-sized sheet set). The clients have already expressed their gratitude for any financial assistance that can be provided.

Mother of 5 recently reunified with her children and case was closed by Child Welfare. The children have many special needs and mother is struggling with gas money to take them to all their appointments. Our Social Worker is working on sustainable solutions including budgeting and other long term resources available, but we are requesting assistance with gas card in the interim.

One of our moms just got out of rehab and was able to be reunified with her son! She was accepted into a housing program to be able to leave an abusive boyfriend and needs some gas money to be able to get started as she goes to and from work!

The participant and her family consist of parents and their 13 year old daughter. The family recently moved into their new unit and have been sleeping on the floor or on the couch of their apartment. They are are only receiving $650 in cash aid and her husband had to leave his job he had due to the move. The husband recently returned to school to achieve his GED and has been doing great and staying on task and focused, and has just started applying for jobs at nearby grocery stores. We would like to support this family's progress by assisting them in obtaining a bed for the daughter and a bed for the parents, with bed frames.

An RFA caretaker for a three-year-old with special needs is struggling to afford childcare and has put her behind on her bills. In fact, her updated RFA funding has been delayed due to circumstances outside her control and has left her with very little funding and she is not getting the help she needs. As a result, last week she had to take off work because she could not afford a babysitter so now she is losing any income and may need to take off work this weekend as well. If we could temporarily assist her in paying her utility bills, this will allow her to take care of these extra childcare costs until she gets the proper funding from RFA. This would be a huge help to this single-parent family and she is grateful for any support she can get.