Corvallis is a lovely, safe community, full of parks and churches and resources. Schools and shops and fun places to eat. Hiking and bike paths...a College campus. A river flows through it...Life is good. We live in a pleasant place.
And yet...here are some stories about real children in our lovely community who are experiencing hardships and even harshness perhaps. Situations are changed in this posting, tweaked a bit to protect the innocent.
Conversing with a client who was talking about making a safety plan for herself and child, as someone is unhappy with them. A safety plan...living on alert versus in peace...
Another child who longs to remain in the same school, but parent is (and child) are again homeless and currently in a different community. Older grade school child...starting over again? Losing friends again?
A parent in recovery who is trying to provide for needs of small one. How can this happen when parent must be in classes, etc versus getting a job and making money? Parent wants to be provider.
Thankful parent is choosing recovery. And yet...small one dealing with a parent in recovery.
Another situation where someone is advocating for a toddler to have a CASA person...Court Appointed Special Advocate...so the child's best interests are taken care of.
Several young parents with several children under age five...single or not having several children in a short time span is stressful and financial needs increase.
Another homeless parent who seems unable to keep her child free from lice and so child for weeks has been dealing with this.
Another parent who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was "raided' that child taken to a relative. Parent has some hoops to jump through.
Another parent who was suddenly arrested, leaving child in care of others. Parents behaviors very unwise.
And finally...a senior, raising a child finds herself with a serious illness and must make huge choices...changing their lives, changing their situation.
And a reminder...each of these parents were also children at one time. We do not know their story and how things became as they now are.
Grace; "The love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it~~not because of anything we have done to earn it." The perfect Father provided exactly what we needed.
Parents need helps. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them" and He laid His hands on them and prayed for them...
Thankful for the churches and other places in our community who DO reach out to children and try to help and also care for them. Be BLESSED!
Also, we invite you to join us in praying for children and their parents. Pray for;
Nurture to be developed in parents. "The art of caring for and encouraging growth and development in your relationships...cherishing."
And
Nourish; for parent to" provide not only food, but also other necessary substances necessary for life and growth. To also foster the development of..."
And
Resilience...for children and adults; "the ability to properly adapt to stress and adversity."
WAYS TO HELP CHILDREN THROUGH LOVE INC;
when we give teachers school supplies, they are able to pass these along to children in need, thus relieving some stress. Also, providing for a tangible need. When children have needed items it makes it easier to learn.
Giving clothing items and shoes to our Pre K closet, so families on little or no income can provide appropriate needed items for their children.
Giving to our Gift closet and Christmas store. Just recently we were able to gift a family with items for their child's first birthday. The mom was in tears...the Dad's face showed relief.
Our hygiene Gap helps children as parents are able to get needed items like toothpaste and deodorant Very important to pre teens and teenagers.
Loads of Love helps with families being able to have clean clothes to wear and not feel shamed in public because their clothes are wrinkled or smelly.
And the list goes on...thanks for stepping up and showing children in our community that they are cared about. As we are the hands and feet of Jesus, perhaps they will also be drawn to love Him. .And as we show kindness to children, it impacts parents and perhaps they too will be drawn to new ways, new hope. These aren't bad people...these are people whom GOD loves and cares for. These are parents who also were children growing up in a messy world. There is no condemnation here...we freely offer oceans of grace! God provided His son, His child so that ALL could receive grace...
Thanks for praying~~
LaCheri
Call Center Manager
And yet...here are some stories about real children in our lovely community who are experiencing hardships and even harshness perhaps. Situations are changed in this posting, tweaked a bit to protect the innocent.
Conversing with a client who was talking about making a safety plan for herself and child, as someone is unhappy with them. A safety plan...living on alert versus in peace...
Another child who longs to remain in the same school, but parent is (and child) are again homeless and currently in a different community. Older grade school child...starting over again? Losing friends again?
A parent in recovery who is trying to provide for needs of small one. How can this happen when parent must be in classes, etc versus getting a job and making money? Parent wants to be provider.
Thankful parent is choosing recovery. And yet...small one dealing with a parent in recovery.
Another situation where someone is advocating for a toddler to have a CASA person...Court Appointed Special Advocate...so the child's best interests are taken care of.
Several young parents with several children under age five...single or not having several children in a short time span is stressful and financial needs increase.
Another homeless parent who seems unable to keep her child free from lice and so child for weeks has been dealing with this.
Another parent who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was "raided' that child taken to a relative. Parent has some hoops to jump through.
Another parent who was suddenly arrested, leaving child in care of others. Parents behaviors very unwise.
And finally...a senior, raising a child finds herself with a serious illness and must make huge choices...changing their lives, changing their situation.
And a reminder...each of these parents were also children at one time. We do not know their story and how things became as they now are.
Grace; "The love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it~~not because of anything we have done to earn it." The perfect Father provided exactly what we needed.
Parents need helps. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them" and He laid His hands on them and prayed for them...
Thankful for the churches and other places in our community who DO reach out to children and try to help and also care for them. Be BLESSED!
Also, we invite you to join us in praying for children and their parents. Pray for;
Nurture to be developed in parents. "The art of caring for and encouraging growth and development in your relationships...cherishing."
And
Nourish; for parent to" provide not only food, but also other necessary substances necessary for life and growth. To also foster the development of..."
And
Resilience...for children and adults; "the ability to properly adapt to stress and adversity."
WAYS TO HELP CHILDREN THROUGH LOVE INC;
when we give teachers school supplies, they are able to pass these along to children in need, thus relieving some stress. Also, providing for a tangible need. When children have needed items it makes it easier to learn.
Giving clothing items and shoes to our Pre K closet, so families on little or no income can provide appropriate needed items for their children.
Giving to our Gift closet and Christmas store. Just recently we were able to gift a family with items for their child's first birthday. The mom was in tears...the Dad's face showed relief.
Our hygiene Gap helps children as parents are able to get needed items like toothpaste and deodorant Very important to pre teens and teenagers.
Loads of Love helps with families being able to have clean clothes to wear and not feel shamed in public because their clothes are wrinkled or smelly.
And the list goes on...thanks for stepping up and showing children in our community that they are cared about. As we are the hands and feet of Jesus, perhaps they will also be drawn to love Him. .And as we show kindness to children, it impacts parents and perhaps they too will be drawn to new ways, new hope. These aren't bad people...these are people whom GOD loves and cares for. These are parents who also were children growing up in a messy world. There is no condemnation here...we freely offer oceans of grace! God provided His son, His child so that ALL could receive grace...
Thanks for praying~~
LaCheri
Call Center Manager