A Kelley Family Home for the Holidays

My women's book group is helping a close-knit, faith-filled family of 6 find their way to secure housing. After a decade as successful renters, the Kelley family has endured most of this difficult year without a consistent place to call home. We were introduced to this family through The Giving Plate's Jingle Makeover with a desire to deliver Christmas, but quickly realized that short-and long-term housing were the most critical wishes to fulfill.

We are now the Kelley's partner in making Bend their home. We've raised close to $5,000 to secure short term housing through the end of the year. (New winter coats, work on their car, and a meal train are also being provided.) We're making important connections to community resources. Both parents have employment prospects and are starting to interview (construction and caregiving), but it is nearly impossible to keep a job without a place to live.

Never have we met a more determined and proactive mom. She is tired, but also goal-driven, organized, and hopeful. She and her husband are dedicated parents, the kids are hardworking and well-mannered. Ours is not a charitable relationship, but a partnership designed to foster independence, equity and justice for a family in need.

We seek to demonstrate to the Kelleys that we see and value them by helping establish longterm housing. Our goal is to collect enough to cover four month's rent to ease their burden as they start working and building resources of their own. We'll also help them retrieve belongings from storage and continue to assist with other essential needs. This is an urgent fundraise, as we need to secure a home by January.

Heartfelt thanks in advance to each of you for your generosity.  Thanks to you, The Giving Plate, FAN, Neighbor Impact, Rock Bottom Hope, The Boys and Girls Club, and more, the Kelleys will find their way.  Let's end 2020 with a Christmas miracle for this family!