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Help my friend and his family in need. Each year I help children and families in need have a happy holiday when they otherwise may not. This holiday season is an especially trying time for a family that is dear to my heart. The family consists of a single mother and her two children (a boy age 17 and a girl age 9). The children who are native born are currently separated from their mother. Sadly, their mother, who was undocumented, was deported to Mexico.
The children tell me that their mother came to the United States in search of a better life for herself and the family she left behind in Mexico. She was extremely hard working and often prioritized her children over herself and her own health. This deportation aggravated an already vulnerable situation. The children have been faced with additional hardships since their mother was deported including toxic stress, financial insecurity, and housing instability. In fact, the 17 year old who is a senior in high school, shouldered the responsibility of taking care of his little sister for several months until an extended relative, a close friend of mine, was able to obtain temporary guardianship. The children have recently moved into my friend’s small studio apartment in San Francisco’s Mission District.
Information about the children:
Boy
- 17 years old and a senior in high school
- Does well in school and is looking forward to graduating next June. Unfortunately he missed some important college application deadlines due to his situation. That being said, he is currently looking into San Francisco State University and is interested in majoring in Computer Science. He told me that his priority is to take care of his little sister and will put his education on hold if he has to. This broke me. I am actively working on ways to ensure he can go to college.
- Interest in technology and has been teaching himself how to code in Python. Unfortunately, he does not have a personal computer and uses a computer at school whenever possible.
- Plays soccer in a San Francisco Youth Soccer League
- Enjoys reading. He just finished reading the "Cross Over Series", three novels about sports and family, written by Kwame Alexander. He also just started reading "No Longer Human" a 1948 Japanese novel by Osamu Dazai that tells the story of a young man who is caught between the breakup of the traditions of a northern Japanese aristocratic family and the impact of Western ideas.
- Taken on a great deal of responsibility in caring for his little sister
Girl
- 9 years old and in 4th grade
- Enjoys sports and is interested in joining two sports leagues (youth volleyball and soccer)
- Enjoys reading. She is currently reading a series of novels from the "The Baby-Sitters Club". Each book focuses on one girl, telling the story from her perspective and delving into the details of her life. The series covers heavy topics such as divorce and the death of a parent along with more everyday moments when a girl feels like she doesn’t fit in. Also, she just started reading “Clash”, a book that navigates middle school friendships and the importance of both empathy and respect.
- Loves to "dance battle" and sing karaoke
- Extremely close to her brother
The children and my friend are facing a barrage of needs. My friend is a Junior High School Teacher in the San Francisco Unified School District and lives on limited financial means. I am reaching out to my network, friends, family and community in hopes you can help make a difference in the lives of this vulnerable family this holiday season. Donations raised will go towards buying basic necessities such as groceries, clothes, hygiene products etc., sponsoring the children’s interests and hobbies (sports, reading, creative and technology pursuits etc.).
Thank you for your consideration in helping this family during these challenging times.