My biological mother, Tracy, was a drug addict alcoholic twenty-year-old. I had already taken on the role of a parent by the time I was five. I was responsible for my siblings who were two and four. I remember like it was yesterday: my brother crying on the floor with a dirty diaper and my sister saying over and over, “I’m hungry, I’m hungry.” It was on me; I was the person who had to feed Desirae and change Enrique. The only thing I could really “cook” was cereal. I remember getting the milk out and climbing on the counter to retrieve the Froot Loops to feed us all. I am the reason my siblings and I have survived.  

I was six years old when my “mom”, obtained custody of my me and my siblings. We moved in with her and her daughter, who was seven years old. She took us from the terrible living conditions we had with Tracy. For the first several years our lives improved, it was my hope that she would be the “mom” that Tracy never was. After time that hope eventually faded when she started to become extremely abusive mentally, emotionally, and physically. She would throw us to the ground and tell us all how worthless we were. It was after my older sister, Marie, committed suicide that things got unbearable, the physical and emotional abuse just got worse. To survive I knew we were going to need to leave. I had to get us out. 

I went to our neighbors across the street and told them what was really going on inside our house. I explained to them that we were all too afraid to stay and to please help us get out of the house. The courts removed us from “mom’s” home.  Stella and Steve became our guardians in January 2019. 

I know Stella and Steve are doing everything they can to help provide us with a good safe place, but I also know it is a struggle on them financially.  The one thing they are trying to do for us, is find a different place to live.  We still live very near the person that abused us.  I know it is hard on Enrique and Desi to be so close to her.  It is hard on all of us to see that house every day.

I know that Stella and Steve will care for and take care of me, Enrique and Desi. This school year is off to a good start.  I have started looking at colleges.  I’m excited to be looking at schools.   I want to look to the future and set an example for my younger siblings. We should not let our past affect our futures. College is my pathway to a better life for myself. My hope is not to just attend and graduate college, but completely immerse myself into the college experience.  I do not know if I would be thinking about going to college if it was not for my new family.

Stella and Steve are doing everything they can for us.  I wanted to help them by writing this note to ask you to please help us and them by giving a donation.

Thank you in advance.
Maria



We meet the family 5 years ago, when we became neighbors.   In January 2019, Steve and I officially became the guardians of Maria (17), Desirae (16) and Enrique (14).  The courts removed them from their home in the Spring of 2018.  We knew if they went into foster care they would not stay together and possibly not receive the emotional or medical attention they need. 

Their biological mother, was an alcoholic and drug user.  Desirae will always suffer the cognitive effects from her birth mother’s drug use.  The children were abandoned by their birth mother when they were very young, 5, 4 and 2.   

Their guardian, “Mom” of the last 11 years was emotionally, physically and mentally abusive to all the children living in the house. The abuse increased in frequency and severity after the oldest, Marie, committed suicide at 18 years old.   

Maria, Desirae and Enrique bare the scars of years of trauma and instability. With your financial help they can begin to heal and be provided a life that replaces the one they started with.  Along with our 5-year old adopted son, we opened our home to these children. By doubling the size of our family overnight, and not increasing our income, we are now faced with many financial challenges. Funds collected would be used to offset attorney fees, tutoring, college, therapy and living expenses. 

If you would like to discuss donating time, money, or services, you can contact me, Stella.

Our new family wants to thank you for your generosity.
With warm regards,

Steve and Stella 

Please note your gift is not a deductible charitable contribution as you are NOT giving to a 501(C)3 organization.  Additionally, this gift may affect your annual gift tax exemption and you should consult your personal income tax adviser regarding questions.

There is no repayment expected or implied in this gift, either in the form of cash or by future services, and no lien will be filed by me/us against future property the this could be used to purchase