Hope for the Holidays (web)

A single mother who escaped an unsafe situation and lived in an outdoor shed with her children for much of the past year is spending the holiday season with a proper roof over her family’s heads.

With help from Medford’s Maslow Project, the mother and four kids — ages 6, 11, 13 and 17 — moved into stable housing in recent weeks for the first time since March.

The new home will provide stability for the family after fleeing a domestic violence situation.

Nicole Ritterbush, housing and outreach supervisor for Maslow, said it took a lot of courage for the mother to leave an abusive situation with her children, their only option being an outbuilding with no running water or power.

Another Maslow client connected the family with the agency, which helped to provide needed resources. The final piece of the puzzle was to help the family gain some needed stability was permanent housing.

Ritterbush applauded the mother’s bravery in fighting for safety and stability for her childre.

“She’s just very fierce and protective of her family and was willing to do anything to flee a domestic violence situation to keep her kids safe. Her determination and strength is just amazing,” Ritterbush said.

“Even living in a shed, it was really tough for her to reach out for help. … We were really happy to be able to help them become housed this last week, right before Christmas.”

Ritterbush described the mother as humble and “never wanting to ask for anything.”

In nominating the family for the Rogue Valley Times Hope for the Holidays series, Ritterbush said she hoped the community would help the family turn their new house into a home.

The family could use bedding for five beds; color themes for two male and three females would be ideal. With limited furniture, bean bag chairs would provide added comfort, and the four siblings would enjoy sensory toys or gadgets, stuffed animals and Legos.

Squish mallows – soft pillows that look like colorful characters or dolls – and warm clothing and shoes are also on the list.

The oldest brother could use clothing in men’s size medium and 9.5 shoes; a younger boy wears size 14/16 boys clothing and size 9 men’s shoes. A 13-year-old sister wears small (women’s) clothing and size 7.5 shoes. The youngest girl wears a size 8 clothing and size 2 shoes.

Needed household items include — for the kitchen — a microwave, cooking utensils, bakeware and a trash can. For the bathroom, towels, washcloths and a laundry basket would be appreciated. The family could also use a mop, broom and other cleaning supplies.

To help the family, contact Ritterbush by cell phone, 541-646-2442.

Hope for the Holidays is a series sponsored by the Rogue Valley Times that focuses on community members or families in need and highlights the work of social service agencies in Southern Oregon. Once a need is filled, donations may be distributed to others in need.

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