The giving tree youth assistance
While I was browsing Facebook as I typically do every morning I came across a post about a Homeless family with three children by the railroad tracks here in Merlin.
I stopped and read the post over and over again reading the comments about how the homeless are out of control and how the kids should be taken away.. rumors flied about the conditions these kids lived in.. I watched as many criticized the parents.. yet no one had a solution. Not even a suggestion as to what could and should be done. I decided to take take it upon myself to go find these kids and their parents and face the reality dead on and see it for myself.. I made a post looking for the family and with a few leads I found them tucked away at a park.. in a single person tent covered with a tarp. My heart sank, it was pitch dark no fire no lights just darkness.. I called out to the tent and to my surprise a young woman with a hoodie and a rasta beanie stepped out of her tent. " Hi I am Iris I heard about your family and I just want to bring you some blankets and clothes for the kids.. and here some food also." She shyly smiled and took the bag of food "Thank you." she whispered. I could tell she was embarrassed.
I looked at her and her husband. " I am not affiliated with anyone or church or group. I am just a mom and someone who wants to make sure your children are warm and fed.. if its ok with you I will be back tomorrow to make them breakfast." I held my breath as I watched my words almost linger in the cold air. I could tell she didn't trust my intentions but the Mother in her couldn't pass up a meal for her children so she agreed to allow me to come back.
And I did, this time with the help of some awesome friends in the community. They had Pancakes and Hot coco. They each got gifts and clothing.. they sat and laughed and smiled huge smiles.. I decided then and there I had to do more. If these kids were out here like this who else was? how have I not seen them? its like they blended in? or was it.. when we think homeless we think of some 50 year old drunk man who surely landed himself there on his own.. never three small children right before the holidays.. I spoke again to the mother when I returned with more items.. She told me she was headed to a shelter in Medford Monday morning I was elated for them. what a relief or so we would like to assume..
unfortunately the mother had THC in her system and due to the shelter being federally funded they were denied a room regardless of three children in toe.
My phone rang I looked down and noticed her calling she was upset and crying.. she wanted to give up.. and honestly as optimistic as I am and have been known to be even I felt her defeat. So I made a decision.. all over social media I see posts about refugees and" let them into your home" posts.. I made a decision.... without fully consulting my husband as wives typically don't do in situations similar to these... I decided to open my doors to the children.. luckily my husband was fully on board, as someone who has always loved kids I had his full support. I cant house the parents but I can promise that the children would be safe warm and fed . So here we are all this started Friday and its Monday night.. my household has doubled in size..
I would like to help this family with the funds for a down on a home for their family or towards a car anything that can help with these children would greatly be appreciated. We as a community need to start taking care of our youth and giving them some hope. I appreciate any donations and or shares as I truly believe this family deserves a little bit of hope from our community. thank you and happy holidays..
I stopped and read the post over and over again reading the comments about how the homeless are out of control and how the kids should be taken away.. rumors flied about the conditions these kids lived in.. I watched as many criticized the parents.. yet no one had a solution. Not even a suggestion as to what could and should be done. I decided to take take it upon myself to go find these kids and their parents and face the reality dead on and see it for myself.. I made a post looking for the family and with a few leads I found them tucked away at a park.. in a single person tent covered with a tarp. My heart sank, it was pitch dark no fire no lights just darkness.. I called out to the tent and to my surprise a young woman with a hoodie and a rasta beanie stepped out of her tent. " Hi I am Iris I heard about your family and I just want to bring you some blankets and clothes for the kids.. and here some food also." She shyly smiled and took the bag of food "Thank you." she whispered. I could tell she was embarrassed.
I looked at her and her husband. " I am not affiliated with anyone or church or group. I am just a mom and someone who wants to make sure your children are warm and fed.. if its ok with you I will be back tomorrow to make them breakfast." I held my breath as I watched my words almost linger in the cold air. I could tell she didn't trust my intentions but the Mother in her couldn't pass up a meal for her children so she agreed to allow me to come back.
And I did, this time with the help of some awesome friends in the community. They had Pancakes and Hot coco. They each got gifts and clothing.. they sat and laughed and smiled huge smiles.. I decided then and there I had to do more. If these kids were out here like this who else was? how have I not seen them? its like they blended in? or was it.. when we think homeless we think of some 50 year old drunk man who surely landed himself there on his own.. never three small children right before the holidays.. I spoke again to the mother when I returned with more items.. She told me she was headed to a shelter in Medford Monday morning I was elated for them. what a relief or so we would like to assume..
unfortunately the mother had THC in her system and due to the shelter being federally funded they were denied a room regardless of three children in toe.
My phone rang I looked down and noticed her calling she was upset and crying.. she wanted to give up.. and honestly as optimistic as I am and have been known to be even I felt her defeat. So I made a decision.. all over social media I see posts about refugees and" let them into your home" posts.. I made a decision.... without fully consulting my husband as wives typically don't do in situations similar to these... I decided to open my doors to the children.. luckily my husband was fully on board, as someone who has always loved kids I had his full support. I cant house the parents but I can promise that the children would be safe warm and fed . So here we are all this started Friday and its Monday night.. my household has doubled in size..
I would like to help this family with the funds for a down on a home for their family or towards a car anything that can help with these children would greatly be appreciated. We as a community need to start taking care of our youth and giving them some hope. I appreciate any donations and or shares as I truly believe this family deserves a little bit of hope from our community. thank you and happy holidays..