Giving Hope Holiday Program Family Story Cards (Dec 13, 2018)

Giving Hope to a Family!

Story Card

Name (modified for privacy):

Smith Family

Family Story: The Smith family is a close-knit and loving family who have struggled this year and could use some holiday cheer. The Smith family had to move out of Fremont due to rent increases and currently reside in East Oakland, where they continue to struggle to meet basic needs, such as clothes and food. Both parents work full time to provide for their family, and father is currently in the midst of obtaining citizenship – a costly and stressful process for all family members involved. The Smith family, who find great joy in spending time with one another and doing activities at home, would greatly appreciate any support to provide for basic needs this holiday season.

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Family Tracking Number: 208

Giving Hope to a Family!

Story Card

Name (modified for privacy):

Amelia

Family Story: Amelia is a teenage girl who loves to be around friends. Amelia is a happy and healthy young female with a lot of potential.

However, Amelia has struggled with traumatic issues for some time. She has experienced multiple traumatic events including being separated from her mother and siblings. For the past 6 years, she has lived with her grandmother.

She focuses on her studies and has worked this past summer to support family financial needs.

Grandmother works to support their family, but she suffers from multiple health conditions. The upcoming holiday season becomes challenging as they strive continuously living in the Bay Area.

Amelia would also like to give Christmas gifts to her younger sisters. Your help and support will give Amelia a memorable and happy holiday.

Please click on this Story Card to review the full Wish List details.

Family Tracking Number: 209

Giving Hope to a Family!

Story Card

Name (modified for privacy):

Marco Family

Family Story: Ms. Marco and her family are natives to Fremont. They have lived in Fremont for 3 generations. Ms. Marco is the head of household; and is the caretaker in her family, caring for her disabled aging parent as well as her 4 children. Ms. Marcos’ younger child has developmental concerns which have forced Ms. Marco to become a stay at home parent to care for her child’s needs. As primary caretaker she is responsible for them to make all medical and mental health appointments weekly. She tries her best to provide for her family, but has a difficult time making ends meet and would greatly benefit from the generosity of the Fremont community to make this holiday season a memorable time for her and her family.

Please click on this Story Card to review the full Wish List details.

Family Tracking Number: 211

Giving Hope to a Family!

Story Card

Name (modified for privacy):

Chris

Family Story: Chris currently lives with his father.

Both his mother and father are actively involved in his life and co-parent well together. Chris has been in services since 7th grade due to severe bullying, and struggles in school.

Chris’s father has been unable to work due to caretaking needs of his elderly parents. Chris’s mother does not work as she cares for her developmentally delayed sister.

The family is very supportive of one another and working to support their son. They would be very grateful of any holiday gifts provided this year for their family. *In talking with the family about this program, Chris was very humble and asked if we could provide the name of the person if gifts were given, “so I can write a thank you note?”

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Family Tracking Number: 214

Giving Hope to a Family!

Story Card

Name (modified for privacy):

Silva Family

Family Story: Joe is a 13 year old who lives with his mother, father and 4 siblings. The family has endured many challenges with the mother’s health issues and the father working multiple jobs to provide for his family. Joe is an 8th grader who has faced many challenges at school such as being bullied, and overcoming struggles with addiction.

Joe is a support to his younger siblings who are struggling in school with reading. The family is lacking means for a steady income to support the family’s basic needs. As the holiday season approaches, the family has become increasingly stressed due to one income. Joe shared that holiday gifts would bring the family relief and joy for this holiday season.

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Family Tracking Number: 215

Giving Hope to a Family!

Story Card

Name (modified for privacy):

Leyva Family

Family Story: The Leyva family is a family that has had the strength and resourcefulness to tackle many challenges they have faced along the way. They have made a commitment to integrate themselves into the fabric of Fremont and provide their four young children with a chance to grow up in this diverse community. However, in recent years they have found that living in Fremont with such a large family, as well as being a family with children with special needs, goes well beyond what many families can manage; especially around the holidays. Despite this, they find a way to volunteer their time in their local church and community. With Mr. Leyva working seven days a week and Mrs. Leyva now expecting their fifth child, help with gifts this year would be very helpful to them.

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Family Tracking Number: 219

Giving Hope to a Family!

Story Card

Name (modified for privacy):

Monica & Family

Family Story: Monica is an adult sister taking care of her 17 year-old brother, disabled mother, disabled uncle, and her uncle’s 11 year-old son in one household. Monica is an amazing person that stepped up to the plate after her mother had a serious health event that turned out to be permanently disabling just a few years ago. Monica and her family had lost their long-time home in the tri-city area when the owner decided to sell the unit. Monica and her family just recently moved into stable housing, while working with various agencies to help Monica maintain that stability.

This holiday, Monica is hoping for some help to provide her family a nice Christmas. Monica has increased her work hours to make the rent payments for their new apartment and still providing for the needs of her family. Monica stated that she is grateful for the opportunity to be referred to the Giving Hope program now. She also said that when things become more stable for her family, she would like to be able to pay this kindness forward and help a family out because she will never forget how it feels being on the receiving end.

Please click on this Story Card to review the full Wish List details.

Family Tracking Number: 305

Giving Hope to a Family!

Story Card

Name (modified for privacy):

Diana

Family Story: At the young age of 14, Diana has experienced many life events that have created feelings of grief, and in turn, caused behavioral problems that affected her academic performance in school for the last two years. In the time that I have been working with Diana, she has presented herself as a friendly and sweet young lady with great potential to succeed in life.

Diana has struggled with attendance and coursework but with the support of her family, teachers, counselor and case manager she is starting to overcome these issues. I have received great feedback from her teachers stating that she is working really hard to raise her grades by staying after school doing make-up work. Diana also struggles to get assignments done at home due to the lack of access to a computer as there is only one in the household and she needs to share it with her siblings. Diana would be immensely grateful if she could get a laptop to do research and get her assignments done on time.

Diana would also benefit from 1:1 math tutoring services but her mother cannot afford to pay for this service. Your generosity will impact the education, future, and development of this bright young lady.

Please click on this Story Card to review the full Wish List details.

Family Tracking Number: 309

Giving Hope to a Family!

Story Card

Name (modified for privacy):

Mary & Family

Family Story: Mary and her family are life-long Fremont residents and are very loving and resilient. Mary has had health conditions the past couple of years, and is caring for her nieces and a sister who has mental health issues. Mary’s mother is the only person that is able to work and provides the household income. It has been a constant struggle to pay bills and keep food on the table.

Along with taking care of her nieces and sister, Mary is attending community college and is determined to continue with her education so she can someday get a good job and help support the household. Mary would appreciate any holidays gifts for her family.

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Family Tracking Number: 316

Giving Hope to a Family!

Story Card

Name (modified for privacy):

Erica

Family Story: Erica is a single woman who has struggled with a lot of health conditions. She has fought her way out of heavy debt and homelessness. She is now in stable housing and is working with her financial coach to learn how to budget and improve her credit score. Currently she is on disability and has just enough money every month to cover the bills and necessities. She could definitely use some holiday cheer this year and appreciates all help she receives.

Please click on this Story Card to review the full Wish List details.

Family Tracking Number: 317

Giving Hope to a Family!

Story Card

Name (modified for privacy):

Joan Family

Family Story: This family consists of grandparents who are newly raising their four grandchildren. The parents of the children are on the streets. The grandparents are taking the children out of foster care and this holiday season will be the first time all grandchildren will be together with their own family and be able to celebrate Christmas. This family got into a big car accident which was nearly fatal. Grandma had to stop working due to many medical problems that the accident caused. The grandpa is working but had to take two months off due to injuries that the accident caused. This accident affected this family financially as their rent payments got behind and they also lost their car and had to pay for another car last minute so they can get kids to and from school. Grandparents want to make this holiday really special for their grandchildren who suffer from many physical and emotional issues they suffered. The grandchildren are really excited to be together this year for the first time and with their grandparents. This family can use your help this holiday season.

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Family Tracking Number: 319