Hi. My name is Kim Foster. I work with families in the community in Las Vegas, Nevada, and write books and essays about social issues that impact all of us. I haven't raised money for a worthy family in a bit, but I have one for you. They could really use your support and it could make a huge difference for this family.
Last year we had a 16yo foster daughter living with us. She is an amazing young woman who has a real shot at doing better than her folks, which is what we all want for our kids. She is college-bound, as is her younger sister who is 15. If she can make it, she will be the first in their family to graduate with a degree. This could shift the trajectory of the whole family out of generational poverty.
The kids were removed by CPS when they were in their mother's care, not Dad's. Mom, is still unable to parent, but Dad is stepping up. He has all four younger kids (17, 15, 11, and 5) living in a one-bedroom weekly hotel (the federal government considers children living in weeklies and hotels to be "homeless" because they are so unstable. They can be evicted over the slightest infraction with little recourse, and there can be lots of hidden costs. Weeklies make poor people poorer. )
This family is so happy to be together. Dad has a full time job with a low hourly, but it's solid. He doesn't do illegal drugs, and does not have addiction issues. Dad has found a stable and safe apartment with a year-long lease, and they are hoping to move on the first of the month. This will give them a little space, permanency and calm in a three bedroom. He has applied for SNAP and will get that starting next month.
I'd like to see if we can get this family an extra $6,000 to cover three months of advance rent, with $1500 left over for repairs to his car, and furniture, bedding and supplies for the kids in the new apartment. My husband and I will support with food and groceries, as needed.
The big goals: I'd like to get them stable, so I can get my ex-foster daughter into college next year (she can get a free ride to in-state university after being in foster care) and next her 15yo sister. I also hope, longterm, to get mom into rehab. She is really struggling, and dad has told me that she used to be an amazing mother before she got hooked on drugs while attempting to self-medicate. A common story in substance abuse circles. I'd love to see her be that mom again for the kids and herself. She is stuck.
I think this family can use a little bump from the community to get themselves settled and on track. If you have a little bit leftover - I know times are hard - it will help. Sometimes families just need a hand up and they can take it the rest of the way.
Thank you, friends and readers, for supporting vulnerable people in our communities. I won't ask again for another couple of years. LOL. I see you and appreciate you. xo Kim
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PS: I also wrote a more thorough account of what this family has been through, here at my newsletter on Substack. www.kimfoster.substack.com. The essay is called: "To Re-Build a More Stable Family: With the support of a community."
PPS: Also, this is the link to a NY Times article on what can happen when people in lower income brackets have friendships with people in the middle and upper economic brackets. Sometimes it can be life-changing.