Visalia First

A kinship care placement has been supported by Safe Families for 3 years. The family has gained stability and shown resilience through difficult times. The guardian who has cared for the children for the majority of the children's lives is in the process of getting full guardianship. Through this process home visits are being done to ensure the home is a safe living space for the children. The family is in need of 2 beds to meet this standard. Due to minimal space in the home the family requests a twin bunk bed to save space and provide the necessary sleeping arrangements for the children.

We are reaching out with a heavy but hopeful heart on behalf of a courageous single mother who is facing overwhelming challenges while caring for her four children. One of her children is experiencing significant mental health struggles, requiring her full-time care and attention. Because of this, the mother is unable to work outside the home and is doing her best to meet her family's needs with very limited resources. This mother’s love and dedication are unwavering, but the weight of her situation has become too much to carry alone. We are seeking support to help this family with some basic but essential needs:A twin-over-twin bunk bed to provide two of the children with a safe and comfortable place to sleep, the mother currently has two twin mattresses. Neutral-colored bedding is calming, practical, and easy to maintain. A twin bed for her daughter, who needs her own space to rest and grow. Help with groceries to ensure that this mother can feed her children healthy meals during this difficult season, as well as a mattress. Meeting these needs would bring comfort and stability to a home that is doing its very best under incredibly trying circumstances. It would also show this mother that she is not alone that there is a community of people who care and are willing to walk alongside her family. If you feel led to help, in whole or in part, your kindness will make a profound impact. Thank you for your compassion and willingness to be the hands and feet of love and support.

I am writing on behalf of a devoted legal guardian (LG) who recently assumed full-time care of her 10-year-old grandson under deeply challenging circumstances. The child was removed from his parents at the age of two due to severe substance misuse. He was then placed in the care of his grandfather who tragically passed away about a year ago, leaving the child without a caregiver. In November 2024, the child’s grandmother stepped forward and was officially granted custody. To provide the consistent, loving care her grandson needs, she made the difficult decision to retire early and now lives on a fixed income through Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This transition, while necessary, has placed a significant financial strain on her household. One of the few joyful and stabilizing activities the grandson participates in is soccer, which he loves. Watching him play has become a shared source of comfort and connection for the LG and her grandson during this period of healing and adjustment. However, due to limited financial resources, the cost of driving him to and from games and practices has become difficult to manage. A monetary gas donation would greatly ease this burden. It would not only help cover transportation costs but also ensure that this child can continue engaging in a healthy and uplifting activity that brings him joy and stability. Your support would offer a small but meaningful piece of normalcy to a family working hard to rebuild and heal.

Updated on May 16, 2025 by an Agency Worker
The zip code is 93247 and the family lives in Lindsay. My apologies.

Recently a relative took in her two nephews who were homeless. The aunt just purchased a futon bed to accommodate them but then her stove went out. This relative has been using a grill outside or a portable single burner stove inside the home to cook meals for the new children in her home in addition to her biological children and does not have extra money to replace her stove.

The mother is a single mother and works two jobs to provide for her 5 children. The mother has attempted to use lice shampoo and lice spray on all the children. Unfortunately, the lice shampoo and spray have not worked, and the lice treatment kits are expensive to purchase for each child. The mother recently had to get her car fixed to get the children to school, which has taken a toll on her financially. The mother is in need of lice treatment kits for her 5 children and lice spray for the home to prevent the children from getting lice again. The mother is willing to accept the lice treatment kits and lice spray for the home, or gift cards to get the lice treatment kits and lice spray for the home.

Currently working with a family that recently moved into a new place. Their 10-year-old child has several medical issues, such as a heart condition, heart murmur, leaky valve, and also deafness in the right ear. The child currently sleeps on a mattress on the floor and the family can benefit from a twin bed frame. Family is okay with an inexpensive frame, as long as it can keep the child's mattress from laying directly on the floor. The father is the only one working and can only ork limited hours, as the mother recently had her leg amputated. The father expressed the need for a washer and dryer (gas), as he will not be able to buy it in the near future.

Walmart currently has a metal twin bed frame for $60. Go To Link

Updated on May 13, 2025 by an Agency Worker
Family stated the child would need a full, as her feet hang off the bed in a twin. As a full is needed, the family will now need a mattress.

Child Welfare Services is working with a single mother in our community who is facing some significant challenges. She is a hardworking single mother raising two children, one of whom has autism. The family's circumstances have been further complicated by the recent malfunction of their washing machine. This has placed an unexpected financial burden on them, requiring them to rely on the generosity of family or the expense of a laundromat.

Given the rising cost of living in their small rural town and the family's limited income, replacing the broken washer is currently beyond their means. Their dryer is also nearing the end of its lifespan. A gently used or new washer and dryer would significantly alleviate their current difficulties.

In addition to the appliance needs, the family could benefit greatly from a few extra twin-size mattress protectors. One of the children occasionally experiences accidents and having additional protectors would significantly reduce the mother’s daily workload and stress of laundry duties.

I understand that these are substantial requests. However, any assistance you could offer this family would be profoundly appreciated and make a tangible difference in their daily lives and well-being. Thank you for considering their situation.

The mother is currently in the process of remodeling the trailer where she is currently renting. At this time she has bought material to fix the bathroom shower and is in the process of pulling out the flooring from the trailer. Since the mother has limited funds we are asking for assistance is helping purchase stick on flooring in order to help the mother clear some of the hazards and exposed flooring in the bathrooms and the main kitchen. This will benefit the family as the mother's younger daughter has a 1 year old baby that does crawl on the floor.

An 11-year-old male child is currently placed with his maternal grandmother. He is experiencing difficulty staying awake at school, which has been attributed to staying up late and using electronic devices at night. Although the maternal grandmother attempts to hide the electronics, it appears the child accesses them after she has gone to sleep.

The school has expressed concern, noting that the child often arrives extremely tired and, on several occasions, has fallen asleep in class and could not be awakened.

The maternal grandmother has requested support in obtaining a lockbox to securely store the electronics at night. This measure is intended to support the child’s academic performance and help maintain the stability of his current placement.

The maternal aunt has opened her home and heart to her three nephews, taking full responsibility for their care after they were placed in protective custody. While her home was approved for expedited placement, she is in need of one toddler bed for one of the children. Having arrived with little more than the clothes on their backs due to their mother's homelessness, the children are in need of basic necessities. The aunt is requesting any support to help provide for her nephews. She has taken a leave of absence from work to focus on stabilizing the children and supporting them through this challenging transition.

Hello, we have a young adult who needs support in getting a gently used Chromebook/laptop. Our youth is currently attending school to obtain his high school diploma. Unfortunately, he is unable to get a computer from the school he is attending due to having limited availability at this time. He is able to get to school and use the computers there, but some days transportation is unavailable for him. He currently lives in Visalia, but the school he is attending is in Orosi. Online school has been the best option for him due to the commute along with his transportation barriers. He is on track to graduating this year! Thank you!

Child Welfare Social Worker, assisting a single mother expecting her fourth child and raising three children, two of whom have special needs. This family recently transitioned out of homelessness and secured an apartment with a move-in date of May 7th, 2025. This is a significant achievement.

They are moving into a completely unfurnished apartment with minimal possessions. The family currently possesses only the clothing they were able to carry. The lack of essential furniture and household items poses an impediment to their well-being and ability to establish a stable home life. The mother is concerned about providing a safe and nurturing environment for her children, particularly given the added stress of her pregnancy and the care requirements of her children with special needs.

To ensure a successful transition into their new home, the family urgently requires essential furniture, including beds for the children and the expected mother. Basic kitchenware such as pots, pans, and utensils is also critically needed. The provision of these items, including a small couch and kitchen table would greatly contribute to their physical and emotional well-being and significantly improving their quality of life following their difficult experience with homelessness.

Your generosity, in any form, would be invaluable. This could include donations of used furniture and kitchen supplies would be appreciated.

Family was able to get mattresses, just need assistance with bedding/frames