ADOPT-A-FAMILY FOR THE HOLIDAYS 2019

by Hillsides

The holidays can be a depressing time for families in need who can't afford presents or a meal. We work with the community to adopt families and provide a brighter holiday and bring cheer during the season. Here's one of our families who was adopted.

Thirteen-year-old James* is the middle son of three teenagers. As a single mother, Maria* has done the best she can raising the children on her own, doing so despite the lack of emotional or financial support from her extended family members who live across the country. Taking care of three young men by herself is overwhelming.

James and his siblings came into this world at a disadvantage because dealing with trauma was already a part of their mother’s daily life. Maria, because of a violent act, had been suffering on her own and that traumatic experience left her children feeling the effects on their own lives.

Over several months, James worked on his mental health and made positive steps thanks to Hillsides. James and his siblings have all received full counseling services, but each has been able to step down from the more intense services. The Hillsides staff emphasized the need for self-care, and that has given the family the tools to reduce stress and to handle daily struggles. Hillsides therapists were able to help James work through his personal trauma. Slowly, but surely, the entire family began to heal.

When James was told that his family had been selected to be part of the Hillsides holiday Adopt-A-Family program, each member was extremely grateful for the help. It came at an important time, because of their limited resources, the family would not be able to go home to Texas for the holidays.

They wrote down a list of needed items that many of us would take for granted – pajamas, underwear, socks, shoes, blankets, and just a few listed toys. On Christmas morning, when the family opened their gifts, the spirit of the holiday season washed over each of them. Maria, who as always, had only been thinking of her children, was especially overjoyed to receive a gift. The gift cards they received were used to provide a special family outing, which Maria shared made the days around the holiday more festive.

With support from individuals, families, and companies, we hope to give 90  families gifts for each member of the family and groceries to help feed the children. The cost to provide for one member of the family is $100. The cost for a family of four is $400.

Please consider sharing the gift of the holiday spirit to families in need. We thank you for thinking of the families in crisis who we serve.

*Names changed for privacy reasons.