Hope for the Santos
Donation protected
Hello,
I want to thank everyone who inspired me to share this story. I am a mental health assistant who works for an in home family therapy company in NJ. I have been working with youth and families for over two years and everyone I have ever worked with has left me with something to think about. Our main goal is to assist families in maintaining a more stable home environment for the youth or teen. Which is why I want to share this story.
I began working with the Santos family in the beginning of summer 2015. I didn’t know what to expect when I approached a tiny loft located in the backyard of someone’s property, but I continued my session regardless. The youth’s grandmother greeted me as she quickly began getting ready for work. There before me, stood a 14-year-old boy who at the time, I would have never thought of him being an inspiration to make some changes in my life. I introduced myself to the family and grandmother explained her situation. Like many children I’ve worked in the past, this youth was never familiar with his birth parents. At a young age, the youth’s grandfather, through blood took him and his sister into his care. Ana Hartman was married to the youth’s grandfather and treated the youth as if he were her own grandchild. She quickly updated me on the youth’s current behavior at home.
Youth had been over sleeping and purposely skipping school. Youth had been written up multiple times, onto the point where she has lost count. He had been arguing with grandparents more often and not complying with house rules. Grandmother feared that the youth would follow the same footsteps as her many grandchildren did that ended up in jail for drug charges. Grandmother sincerely pleaded for services in order to help her grandchild. I am neither a miracle worker nor a charity corporation, but I was determined to help this family. Grandmother rushed out the door to make it into work on time. Grandmother works full time and lives from paycheck to paycheck. “She works all the time and I wish I could just help her,” whispers youth. I immediately connected with the youth and we had a lot of things in common. Unfortunately, just like many teens today he came from a broken home and was trying to be someone he wasn’t. Youth’s mother lost custody of her children due to drug addiction. Youth was indeed an old soul and sincerely loves his family through the good and bad times. He explained to me that most of his behaviors began when he was younger, just trying to fit into society. After that session I began to develop trust between him and his family.
Grandmother attempts to keep up with the bills at home, but unfortunately she can’t keep up with all the payments. She has a car that can be repossessed at any time and she is behind on rent. She attempted to apply for food stamps but was denied because she made a few more dollars more than what was permitted by the state law. Keep in mind this woman is working hard raising two kids who are not blood related and still maintaining a smile on her face. A lot of families in NJ have been suffering since the casino business took a massive economical hit. Depression is on the rise and drug addiction is starting at a younger age. Atlantic City has never looked so dark and I’ve never seen so much sorrow go unheard. I understand that we have a system in place that takes care of very low income families, but what about those who are on the edge of the cliff. Those who can’t make ends meet and eventually get to point of homelessness. Grandmother has health issues and works very hard to support her family. I have seen great improvement in youth’s behavior since we started with his services. He looks up to me as a big brother and I feel like it’s my obligation to have their story heard.
Grandmother is going to lose everything. It hurts to know that this hard workingwoman is working to be homeless. I ask everyone who knows what it feels like to go through hard times to help this woman. This woman who gave her years to help other people and still keep a smile on her face. This woman who holds back her tears so her grandchildren don’t see her hurting inside. I have heard youth’s story as he stood in front of me with tears in his eyes knowing that the only one who ever believed in him was this woman. This woman touched my heart and I felt so honored that I had the chance to work with them. Despite what little they have, grandmother maintains a strong bond with family and just wants to see her grandchildren happy. I think for once it’s time to make her happy!
Surprise Goal for Santos:
•Grandmother is at risk of losing her transportation, which is the only way of earning income.
•Grandmother struggles with supplying enough food at the end of the month for family.
•Youth is in danger of moving and downsizing what little he has currently.
•Grandmother is at risk of losing her house and family.
1. I have explained to grandmother that we are doing a documentary about low-income families in south jersey. She decided to participate and explain her story in depth. I want to surprise grandmother with the amount she needs to have her caught up with her bills and help with her car payments. If there is one thing I have learned by doing this job is to build trust and loyalty. I am committed to helping this family, but I can’t do it alone.
2.The goal needed to assist grandmother is $20,000 and whatever more is donated will help assist children’s basic needs such as clothing, food, and education.
3.I will keep updates as we approach the goal.
If there is one thing these children have taught me through the years is that life is too short. Pursue your dreams and what makes you happy. I hope to pursue my passion in music and maybe one-day build an organization to help families in need of assistance. Everyone falls down sometimes and if we could all come together to help one another then it’s just one more step to building a better future. Thank you.
Looking at the circumstances, the need for donations is urgent. Any donation amount will help, but if you are unable to donate I thank you taking the time to read and share this message.
Thank you so much.
I want to thank everyone who inspired me to share this story. I am a mental health assistant who works for an in home family therapy company in NJ. I have been working with youth and families for over two years and everyone I have ever worked with has left me with something to think about. Our main goal is to assist families in maintaining a more stable home environment for the youth or teen. Which is why I want to share this story.
I began working with the Santos family in the beginning of summer 2015. I didn’t know what to expect when I approached a tiny loft located in the backyard of someone’s property, but I continued my session regardless. The youth’s grandmother greeted me as she quickly began getting ready for work. There before me, stood a 14-year-old boy who at the time, I would have never thought of him being an inspiration to make some changes in my life. I introduced myself to the family and grandmother explained her situation. Like many children I’ve worked in the past, this youth was never familiar with his birth parents. At a young age, the youth’s grandfather, through blood took him and his sister into his care. Ana Hartman was married to the youth’s grandfather and treated the youth as if he were her own grandchild. She quickly updated me on the youth’s current behavior at home.
Youth had been over sleeping and purposely skipping school. Youth had been written up multiple times, onto the point where she has lost count. He had been arguing with grandparents more often and not complying with house rules. Grandmother feared that the youth would follow the same footsteps as her many grandchildren did that ended up in jail for drug charges. Grandmother sincerely pleaded for services in order to help her grandchild. I am neither a miracle worker nor a charity corporation, but I was determined to help this family. Grandmother rushed out the door to make it into work on time. Grandmother works full time and lives from paycheck to paycheck. “She works all the time and I wish I could just help her,” whispers youth. I immediately connected with the youth and we had a lot of things in common. Unfortunately, just like many teens today he came from a broken home and was trying to be someone he wasn’t. Youth’s mother lost custody of her children due to drug addiction. Youth was indeed an old soul and sincerely loves his family through the good and bad times. He explained to me that most of his behaviors began when he was younger, just trying to fit into society. After that session I began to develop trust between him and his family.
Grandmother attempts to keep up with the bills at home, but unfortunately she can’t keep up with all the payments. She has a car that can be repossessed at any time and she is behind on rent. She attempted to apply for food stamps but was denied because she made a few more dollars more than what was permitted by the state law. Keep in mind this woman is working hard raising two kids who are not blood related and still maintaining a smile on her face. A lot of families in NJ have been suffering since the casino business took a massive economical hit. Depression is on the rise and drug addiction is starting at a younger age. Atlantic City has never looked so dark and I’ve never seen so much sorrow go unheard. I understand that we have a system in place that takes care of very low income families, but what about those who are on the edge of the cliff. Those who can’t make ends meet and eventually get to point of homelessness. Grandmother has health issues and works very hard to support her family. I have seen great improvement in youth’s behavior since we started with his services. He looks up to me as a big brother and I feel like it’s my obligation to have their story heard.
Grandmother is going to lose everything. It hurts to know that this hard workingwoman is working to be homeless. I ask everyone who knows what it feels like to go through hard times to help this woman. This woman who gave her years to help other people and still keep a smile on her face. This woman who holds back her tears so her grandchildren don’t see her hurting inside. I have heard youth’s story as he stood in front of me with tears in his eyes knowing that the only one who ever believed in him was this woman. This woman touched my heart and I felt so honored that I had the chance to work with them. Despite what little they have, grandmother maintains a strong bond with family and just wants to see her grandchildren happy. I think for once it’s time to make her happy!
Surprise Goal for Santos:
•Grandmother is at risk of losing her transportation, which is the only way of earning income.
•Grandmother struggles with supplying enough food at the end of the month for family.
•Youth is in danger of moving and downsizing what little he has currently.
•Grandmother is at risk of losing her house and family.
1. I have explained to grandmother that we are doing a documentary about low-income families in south jersey. She decided to participate and explain her story in depth. I want to surprise grandmother with the amount she needs to have her caught up with her bills and help with her car payments. If there is one thing I have learned by doing this job is to build trust and loyalty. I am committed to helping this family, but I can’t do it alone.
2.The goal needed to assist grandmother is $20,000 and whatever more is donated will help assist children’s basic needs such as clothing, food, and education.
3.I will keep updates as we approach the goal.
If there is one thing these children have taught me through the years is that life is too short. Pursue your dreams and what makes you happy. I hope to pursue my passion in music and maybe one-day build an organization to help families in need of assistance. Everyone falls down sometimes and if we could all come together to help one another then it’s just one more step to building a better future. Thank you.
Looking at the circumstances, the need for donations is urgent. Any donation amount will help, but if you are unable to donate I thank you taking the time to read and share this message.
Thank you so much.
Organiser
Lorenzo Rivera
Organiser
Egg Harbor Township, NJ