Mom and teen daughters could use warmth and extra food

Published 9:15 am Thursday, December 7, 2023

Editor’s note: 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.

Warm clothing and gift cards for extra food this winter would bring comfort to a Medford woman and her two teenage daughters who escaped from a dangerous situation in their home country five years ago.

A client of the Center for NonProfit Legal Services, the mother is an indigenous Mixtec woman raising teenage daughters, ages 13 and 18.

The family is working with the CNPLS Immigration Law Project on a lawful pathway to legal residency in the U.S.

The family, who moved to Southern Oregon in 2018 after their lives were personally threatened, work together to pay household bills. During summer, they pick everything from peaches and pears to tomatoes and grapes. During winter, fieldwork is unavailable, making things harder for the family — whose girls are enrolled in Medford schools.

While the family has extended family in California, they love the peacefulness and tranquility of the Rogue Valley and hope to stay.

Long term, both daughters hope to further their education and embark on their chosen career paths.

The younger daughter, who has a learning disability, is interested in working with children and would like to pursue a degree in early childhood education.

While she faces special challenges in school, a family member who is a teacher offers after-school tutoring to help the girl meet her educational goals.

She feels that her own experiences with challenge would make her an empathetic listener for children in need. When she feels frustrated and sad, she remembers how hard her mother worked to bring them to safety.

Her older sister would like to be a phlebotomist, which she began studying for in her native country before coming to the U.S.

Despite challenges faced by the family, Laura Lindley-Gutierrez, supervising attorney for CNPLS, said any meeting with the mother and daughters is an uplifting, happy experience. She noted, “Smiling faces are always guaranteed!”

Lindley-Gutierrez said the family would be grateful for added support this winter.

Gift cards for grocery stores would help keep food on the table and make limited funds stretch a little bit further.

Warm winter coats, hats, and gloves — women’s size small, medium and large — would be appreciated.

Donations for continued education for the family, and other youth served by CNPLS, can be directed to the agency by calling 541-779-7292, ext. 116, or by email: l.gutierrez@cnpls.net.