My name is Tara, and I am the founder and CEO of the Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego. For years, I have poured my heart and soul into harm reduction—working every day to save lives, offer hope, and support people on the streets. This work has always been a labor of love, and I’ve often been the one to show up for others, quietly and without much support, making sure families and individuals had what they needed, especially during the holidays.

This year, everything changed when I became the victim of a crime by a former contractor. The theft devastated our organization and left me without an income. I had to make the painful decision to let go of my staff and give up our office, all while trying to keep our mission alive for the community we serve. The financial and emotional toll has been immense. I haven’t been able to pay rent in four months, and my car urgently needs new brakes and an oil change. Because of the ongoing investigation, I had to remain silent about what happened, which made it even harder to reach out. Now, with the case in the hands of prosecutors and having been completely cleared of any wrongdoing or financial mismanagement, I finally feel able to share just how difficult this journey has been. For so long, I kept moving forward, putting on a brave face and not letting others see the toll it was taking. The rumors and false accusations that spread were deeply painful and damaged my reputation, and I lost a significant portion of my funding for standing up as a whistleblower. Even so, I have continued to show up for my community and my family, doing my best to hold my head high, even on the hardest days.

As a mother and grandmother, it breaks my heart that I can’t provide gifts for my 11-year-old daughter, my two young adult daughters, my young adult son, and my 2-year-old grandson this year. Not only do I want to give them gifts from me, but I’ve always played Santa for everyone—making sure there was magic and joy for my family and for so many others. This year, it’s just not possible on my own, and it’s incredibly hard to admit that.

I am embarrassed and humbled to ask for help, but I know that sometimes even the strongest among us need support. If you have ever known me, worked alongside me, or witnessed the impact of my work, I am asking you to please show the love and help my family and me through this dark time. Your support will help me catch up on rent, repair my car, put food on the table, and bring some holiday joy to my family as I rebuild and recover. More than anything, it will show my family that doing the right thing for the right reason is important, and that even when times are hard, it’s vital to keep the faith and live from a place of integrity and gratitude for even the simplest blessings. Thank you for considering a donation and for showing that hope and kindness are still alive.