Single mom could use holiday warmth while rebuilding after homelessness

Published 8:17 am Saturday, December 21, 2024

A single mom reclaiming a sense of normalcy after a bout of homelessness will spend Christmas in a new apartment this year and would be grateful for comfort items, holiday gifts, home furnishings and board games to play with her family.

A client of the Family Nurturing Center in Medford, the mother had applied for services with FNC’s Outreach Home Visiting services before ending up homeless. With two of her children experiencing developmental disabilities, she signed up for home visits to ensure her youngest child was screened and that both children received supportive learning and intervention services.

Joy Marshall, FNC spokesperson, said the mother was enrolled for services at the same time she was approved to move into a small apartment.

The family lived in a tent for several months this year and lost all their belongings while homeless when the mother was unable to pay rent on a storage unit.

Now working full time at a local retail store, the mother is focused on making monthly bills but doesn’t have much money left over. While she received some furnishings from local social service agencies, additional household items and furnishings would help make the new space feel more like home.

“On our first home visit, they had only one bed, a small twin futon and pillows and blankets,” Marshall said.

“FNC was able to help provide more beds, dressers and some kitchen items through individual donations from wonderful community members.”

While the mother, 41, was reluctant to ask for help, Marshal said FNC advocates worked to create a wish list.

“This mom and kids have lost so much. It was difficult for me to get this list out of her because she did not want to ask for too much,” Marshall added.

“I had to work hard to expand on what she first told me. … What she wants most is for the kids to have a nice Christmas.”

For the youngest family member, a sister turning 3 in January, play dishes and pretend food for her play kitchen would be a big hit. The toddler loves anything “Bluey” themed, stuffed animals — not baby dolls, though — and playing pretend. A pretend cash register, to be like mom, would be a welcome gift. For warm clothing, the girl wears size 2T pants and 3T footed PJs and size 6 shoes.

A youngest brother, age 6, loves cars and trucks and could use indoor toys like blocks, LEGOs, building sets or magnetic tiles. The boy wears size 6/7 in clothing and size 12 shoes.

An older brother who turns 18 this month would enjoy art supplies, especially some fine-tip markers, adult coloring books and drawing/sketching supplies. The young man wears a size small pants, medium shirt and size 8 shoes, which he could desperately use, Marshall said.

For the mom, Marshall said she mostly hopes for a happy holiday season for her family. She would enjoy gift certificates to take the family to the movies, the Family Fun Center or the Southern Oregon Children’s Museum in Medford. The family also enjoys playing board games together and would be grateful for new or gently used games.

Gift cards for retail stores would help the family purchase what they need for their new home. Specific needs include a hand mixer, blender, cake pans, large cookie sheet pan and casserole dishes. For herself, the mom said self-care items such as bath sets and de-stressing items would be welcome.

At the time of submission to Hope for the Holidays, the family was working to get a tree and replace lost decorations such as stockings. The family could also use stocking stuffers.

To help this family, contact Marshall at 541-779-5242 or send an email to joy.marshall@rvfnc.org

This is the final story in the Rogue Valley Times’ 2024 Hope for the Holidays series. The holiday series was launched in 2023 to highlight community members or families in need. The series also helps to promote 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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