Brad Brown

Last week was very busy with deliveries being made to the families that AFL adopted this Christmas season. Here are the details regarding the family from Arnold Elementary.

From Arnold Elementary School-
Mom and Dad with 4 children (ages 22(m), 10(m), 6(f) and 5(f))
The family came to the USA in December 2010 from a refugee camp in Zimbabwe from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They were in a refugee camp to seek safety from the turmoil in their country. Both parents work very hard to help support their family but still struggle to make ends meet. The oldest sibling is now attending SCC to further his education and to help support his family. The school-age children work hard in school, have learned to speak English and excel academically, and are well-liked by their peers. This summer their sister was gunned down while sitting in a car. She attended the University of Nebraska-Kearney where she was a track star. She had the dream of becoming a public defender. Her family was devastated. The family is very grateful for any support they receive! Some of the things the family asked for simple things, like a gift card for Super Saver and gas. One big item that the family could use is a refrigerator.

Cassie came to Hope Harbor in November 2015 after having her children removed from the home to due issues with addiction.  She was unable to remain in her housing situation at that time due to domestic violence and a protection order being put in place. Cassie enrolled in Out Patient Treatment in November of 2015 and has been following through with the requirements of that program.  Cassie completed the program at Hope Harbor and moved into her own home in income based housing at Colonial Square in December that same year and continued to working with Hope Harbor through the Self Sufficiency Program.

Yaquese moved to Missouri a couple of years ago for a better opportunity with her job. A year after she got here, her position changed three times, the new CEO decided to move the corporate headquarters. She did not move with the company because due it would have been a 40 mile daily commute and she had become physically ill due to the stress per my doctor. So she was out of work for a few months.

Yaquese has overcome many obstacles in her life.  She enrolled into the Hillcrest Transitional Program to get back on her feet. She graduated from Hillcrest at the end of July 2104!

Kimberly is a single mom of four children, three months ago Kimberly was homeless, through a community partner we were able to assist her in moving into an apartment, she has since been able to maintain her place of residence. Even with being homeless and having no vehicle of her own she was able to maintain full-time employment for the last year.

Kimberly is bi-lingual and has expressed interest in going to work in a factory where she would have a significant raise in income, however, the distance from her home and local factories would make it difficult for her to get to and from work because she typically walks to work. She has also used her Spanish speaking skills to advocate for a victim of domestic violence.

Kimberly’s teenage daughter is expecting a child, they are keeping the baby,  Having reliable transportation will ensure that her child has access to the necessary prenatal care. Her daughter has also used her skills as a volunteer in our community.

Kimberly has proven time and time again that she is a survivor, having reliable transportation would give her the ability to reach her full potential.