Baby in the Manger

Summary: 
On November 30, 2020, a mother gave birth to a healthy baby girl at the Redlands Community Hospital in Redlands, California.  Because she was 40 years old and very exhausted, the doctor had her stay until December 2.   She then went back to a Motel 6, her home for the last 10 months.  Her husband has been desperately working long hours to keep the mother and her 3 children off the streets, staying in a series of motels.  This is a story that includes death, COVID, job loss, an eviction, and the pregnancy that has resulted in an endless cycle that seems to have no respite without special intervention.   Please read with me this very tragic story.

I am a kindergarten transitions teacher in the Redlands Unified School District who is doing distance learning.  A homeless 5 year old girl joined my class. I had a great deal of interaction with the child as well as her mother.  The little girl  seemed very responsible and her mother was quite conscientious in supporting her child.  Then I learned that the mother was expecting another child and due December 8.  In addition she had 2 other children.  They were living in a local motel.   She had a very devoted husband of 20 years.  He had moved from Mexico and is now becoming a U.S. citizen. He has been working 60 hour weeks to keep his family off the streets  and pay the  $99 daily motel rate.   Why?

In October of 2019 they were evicted.   At that time their grandmother was living with  them, along with an older son.  The son and the father were both working to pay the family expenses.  The son had an emergency situation with his own daughter and had to go to Texas.  The father could not meet the expenses alone and had to default on the rent.   The grandmother went to live with another daughter, while the family stayed in their Ford Expedition for 2 weeks.   A sister then housed the family for 6 weeks.   They couldn’t get another apartment because of the eviction.  They stayed in motels for the next 10 months. The cost of the motels totally sapped the family’s financial resources.  A subsequent  combination of events including the shocking death of the grandmother, and COVID induced losses of jobs and daycare support brought the family to a tragic financial and emotional trap.

On November 30th the mother had a healthy baby girl.   The doctor kept her in the hospital because she is at risk being 40 years old.   December 2 she returned to the motel.    Local churches are willing to help, and have provided food, clothing, and will help with furniture and housing supplies.  But they need a place both short and long term to rebuild their lives.

Please help by donating what you can.   Many people with big hearts will make the difference.   As a teacher of young children for over 40 years I wouldn’t steer you wrong.   These are devoted people who need a hand up, not a hand out.    Your generosity will be the beginning of a beautiful Christmas story for this “baby in the Manger” and her family.   Mom had a few words to say two days before giving birth to her baby girl.




The money raised will go to pay off the eviction so they can then qualify to get housing.  It will provide for getting into a home, car repairs, and supplemental support for a family of five  ( make that six).  Any help with short or long term housing in the Redlands, California area would be well appreciated.  Please feel free to contact me in the Organizer area, especially if you have any resources to help with housing. 

Sincerely and with Gratitude,

John Smith
[email redacted]