Grace Community Church/Cornerstone@Northridge Bible Study

A Stepfather who is currently a Foster Parent is a caregiver for a 11-year-old girl needs help with paying his utility bill. The caregiver is a single man doing his best to provide for his stepdaughter and two of his own children. He has been caring for his stepdaughter since December of last year and has fallen behind on this utility bill, if this is not paid Department of Water and Power will turn off services (the electricity and water) and the child will possibly lose her stable home that she has had for the last six months. The caregiver is in desperate need of assistance with paying his utility bill to keep providing a stable, loving and safe home for the 11-year-old stepdaughter. When this need is met the caregiver will be grateful for this assistance and the stepdaughter will not be in jeopardy of being taken out of the current home she has been living in for the past 6 months, the stepdaughter will stay in the safe, loving environment with her caregiver.

Caregiver is 67 years old and recently retired. She is caring for a 13 girl and has had her since she was 8 months old. When she was working she did not need financial assistance however now that she is no longer working she is in need of some help with a dresser for the adolescent girl. Sometimes the child's twin brother comes to visit. Caregiver does not receive any funding nor has DCFS ever been involved. Child is doing well in school. This was an informal agreement between the parent and caregiver. We have referred the family to the Foster Children's Resource Center for clothing. Caregiver is surviving on her Social Security and food stamps. Caregiver has a car but rarely uses it due to not having money for gas so if we could help with a GAS Card it would be a great relief to them as they try to walk everywhere and now it is getting very hot. The family could also use some new bedding. Caregiver and the child sleep on twin size bunk beds and both are in need of bedding. Their small apt has no air conditioning so if we could provide them with a portable a/c unit it would be amazing.

Grandmother who is currently a Foster Parent for her 2 grandchildren needs help with paying a utility bill. The caregiver is a single woman doing her best to provide for 2 grandchildren. She has been caring for her two grandchildren since November of last year and has fallen behind on her utility bill, if this is not paid the DWP will turn off services (the electricity, water and gas) and the children will possibly lose her stable home that they both have had for the last seven months. The Foster Parent/Grandmother is in desperate need of assistance with paying her utility bill to keep providing a stable, loving and safe home for her grandchildren. When this need is met the grandmother will be grateful for this assistance and her grandchildren will not be in jeopardy of being taken out of the current home, where they have been living in for the past seven months, both grandchildren will stay in the safe, loving environment with their grandmother.

Just over a year ago, mother made the brave decision to leave an abusive relationship to protect herself and her children. She left with little more than her strength, resilience, and a deep desire to heal and build a better future. This meant starting over emotionally, physically, and financially. Despite the trauma and hardship, mother is fully engaged in court-ordered services and every step of the reunification process. After nearly a year of unwavering commitment, she regained custody of her children. Mother has received no financial assistance or contact from the children’s father. She now parents full-time on her own. From February through May, she and her children experienced homelessness and couch surfing with relatives. Through it all, the mother shielded her children from instability, creating a positive environment that felt like extended sleepovers. With help from the Department, she recently secured a two-bedroom apartment. However, having left most of her belongings behind, she is starting from scratch. While she’s grateful for stable housing, the financial burden remains overwhelming. A dining room table is more than furniture it represents family, routine, and healing. A table offers a space for meals, conversations, and memory-making. It’s a place to celebrate birthdays, reflect on daily moments, and simply be together. They are starting over, and a dining table would be a symbol that they are still a family—strong, united, and supported.

Single mother who just moved from other state trying to rebuild life with her son in new city. Dad is not in picture and mom is trying her best to keep herself and child safe and happy. She is in need of rental assistance to support her and her son. Any support is greatly appreciated.

Mother needs a crib for her one year old child and 2 twin beds for her 6 and 4 year old children. Mother had beds for her children but father kept it and due to ongoing DV mother does not want to ask for it. Although, mother is having that challenge, she is trying to her hardest to provide for her children. Furthermore, mother is committed to maintain her children with her. mother is trying to better herself, is knowledgeable of children’s needs and is present.Mother’s goals are to be able to live on her own. For these reasons, I am advocating for caregiver to have the need identified met. The main reason I am requesting this need to be fulfilled is because mother is having a hard time having money to buy beds for her children due to father being the breadwinner. Father is upset mother does not want to get back with her after the DV incident that involved DCFS in their life. Mother refuses to get back with father and father is using this to not give her the children basic needs. This need is critical to ensuring that family can stay together and sleep safely.The estimated cost of the need/s being requested is $99 at Walmart. Dream On Me Carson Classic 3-in-1 Convertible Solid Wood Crib with Wheels, Baby Bed, Choose Your Finish - Walmart.com 2 twin beds in one $349.99 - Beds King All-in-One Twin Captain's Bed with Trundle and 3 Drawers, Rustic White Wood Furniture -Walmart.com Or two separate twin beds- each for $59.70 Dream on Me Brookside Toddler Bed, White Walmart.com

Mother needs a tablet for her child. Child had one and broke it. Due to family just coming to America 3 years ago, they don’t have the means to buy another one. Although, mother is having that challenge, she is trying to her hardest to provide for her child. Furthermore, mother is committed to maintain her children with her. During my work with mother, I have identified the following strengths: mother is trying to better herself, is knowledgeable of child’s needs and is present.. Mother’s goals are to provide for her child in America. For these reasons, I am advocating for caregiver to have the need identified met. The main reason I am requesting this need to be fulfilled is because mother is having a hard time having money to buy a tablet for child. Child was emotionally attached to his tablet. Child state the tablet was his only way to keep in contact with his friends in Honduras whom he left 3 years ago. This need is critical to ensuring that child is emotionally stable. DCFS will continue to link the family to community services such as food banks, counseling, etc. This need is being requested through Care Portal because unfortunately DCFS will provide the item but the timeframe DCFS takes would be too long as some requests take up to 8 – 10 weeks. The estimated cost of the need/s being requested is $107.26 at Walmart. Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 8.7” WiFi Tablet, 64GB 4GB RAM, Silver (2023) Brand New - Walmart.com

Mother has finished all of her services and is awaiting her final judgement. Her last obstacle is paying off her traffic tickets. The current amount owed is $637.00. Taking care of this debt would help her get her driver's license back and allow her to drive her children and potentially work as an Uber driver. She is struggling financially and does not have the means to pay her tickets.

Hello, We have a family of 3 that is currently going through a very difficult time. The mother is currently staying at a homeless shelter with her daughter of 12 and a younger sibling. She currently has a very limited income due to lack of work and they are unable to find adequate housing and consistent availability of affordable food. We are requesting a $500 grocery card for the family to at least be able to purchase food for a period of time. Additionally, any resources regarding how we can help the family would be greatly appreciated. This would help family utilize funds to continue to survive while we explore solutions. Thank You for reading and may you all be blessed for your assistance.

I am advocating on behalf of a relative caregiver who cares for her niece and two children on her own with no outside support. Although caregiver was able to escape a DV relationship last year, she finds it difficult to navigate day-to-day life after the death of her sister and being a now single parent. She has recently obtained child care for her niece so that she can go back to work as an IHSS caregiver to better support her family and provide for their needs. Caregiver just needs a stepping stone right now to help her and her family get to where they need to be. Therefore, I kindly ask for assistance with a gift card for school clothing and shoes for the kids. They are quickly outgrowing the clothes/shoes they currently have and are in dire need of new attire. Any help is much appreciated. Thank you and God Bless!