Year of mentor activities for 50 vulnerable youth

I am very excited about the Holidays this year because two of the families that I work with are being sponsored for Christmas and will be receiving gifts.  This is such a huge opportunity for both of the families because they have experienced many challenges this year.

Adelia*, one of my girls whose family has been adopted, is in 1st grade at Lent Elementary, and lives with her mom, younger sister and older brother.  Her father lived with them until recently. He had to move away unexpectedly, but will hopefully return soon.  Adelia had to end her school year short last year because she became ill and was hospitalized over the summer.  Her condition wasn’t diagnosed for several months, during which she stayed at the hospital with her father while her mother remained at home with her siblings.  For several months Adelia’s family had to endure a lot of stress, not knowing what was wrong with her, and not having any source of income because her parents were both with her and her siblings at all times during this traumatic experience.  Adelia was eventually treated and released, but as soon as she returned home her father had to leave very suddenly.

This family is amazing!  Adelia, although she struggles in school with a learning disability which has now been magnified due to her illness, loves going to school.  She loves her classmates and her teachers and always has a smile on her face.  Her younger sister adores her, and she is full of energy and a very intelligent young woman.  Adelia’s older brother is typically very quiet and shy, but as a result of being the “man of the house” over the past couple of months he has really had to step things up and support his mom, which he has done without hesitation.  And their mom is a woman whom I have a great deal of respect for.  She puts her kids first.  Although she struggles with many barriers, not speaking English being one of them, she was able to advocate for her daughter’s medical needs and also does so with her children’s academic needs.  She loves all of her children so much and when facing a challenge she tries to shield her children from it and not place any stress or burden upon them.

I was so pleased when I found out that this family was going to be able to be adopted for Christmas.  When I helped them make a wish list of items Adelia’s mother was unable to put anything down for herself and her husband.  I told her it was ok to put things on the list for them and she finally came up with household items for cooking and cleaning but was still very reluctant to ask for anything.  This is a family that would give to anyone if they had the means.  Although they struggle financially month to month, they still always offer me food when I come to either pick up or drop off Adelia.  They are a family with a huge heart and I am so happy that they will be able to have a Christmas this year and receive some gifts.  I wish I could be a fly on the wall on Christmas evening when they open their gifts because I know they will be so appreciative of what they get. It’s just in their nature.

I love this time of year, when we are reminded that it’s about giving and not receiving. I’m thankful for all the generous people out there, like the ones who adopted Adelia’s family, who are doing what they can to bring joy into the lives of deserving families this Christmas.

- A Friend

* Names have been changed to protect our program youth, photo does not represent youth in story.

Links:

• Blog post: Putting Her Children First