Right now, families like Lucía’s need your help more than ever.
Lucía’s mother was the family’s primary breadwinner, but with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, she promptly lost her housekeeping and waitressing jobs.
The bills began to pile up. Then Lucía’s aunt became ill with COVID-19 and, within days, was hospitalized and put on a ventilator. This devastating turn of events left six-year-old Lucía distraught, and she began having nightmares, throwing frequent tantrums, and wetting the bed.
Upon being referred to Uplift Family Services, her team quickly got to work helping to normalize her fears and teaching her to express her feelings through art. They also helped to meet the family’s basic needs, including assistance with utility bills, groceries, and school supplies. This critical support is allowing Lucía’s mother to focus on attending to her daughter’s emotional needs which, along with the slow recovery of her aunt, has helped Lucía cope better with her high stress and anxiety.
Even before the pandemic, many of the families we serve were desperately struggling.
From behavioral health challenges to homelessness and hunger, the needs were both diverse and urgent. Now, these challenges have been augmented as many promptly lost their service industry jobs, and any chance of paying their rent was lost.
With local shelters at full capacity, some families are left to seek shelter on bus lines, or in cars, or on the streets. Those who do manage to keep a roof over their heads are finding themselves in shared housing where they are packed into small spaces that leave them incredibly susceptible to COVID-19 exposure.
Beyond housing, these families need your help with necessities that ensure children and teens can thrive in school and at home:
That’s why we’re reaching out to you–too many families are suffering at our doorsteps, and we’ve got to do something to help them today.
Will you consider making a special holiday donation in support of our children and families’ ever-increasing emergency needs?
We are enormously grateful for your help during this critical time.
P.S. This year only, 100% of your AGI is tax deductible under the CARES Act legislation!
