HamiltonFamilyCenter

Adopt a Family this Holiday Season

The holidays can be a beautiful time of gathering together with family and giving thanks for good things in our lives. That said, they can also be a difficult time when families are struggling financially and facing the many challenges of being homeless.

In addition to presents for children, we encourage individuals and groups to collect gifts for adults and families as a whole. Here are some suggestions of ways you can strengthen entire families and provide adults with something special and meaningful this holiday season:

1.    Gift card from Target or Ross for $25 (one per family)
2.     Kitchen kit 1: Set of dishes, silverware, and glasses
3.    Kitchen kit 2: Set of pots and pans with utensils
4.    Bucket of cleaning supplies: Bucket filled with gloves, sponges, cleanser, dish soap, eco-friendly cleaning spray, mop, broom with dust pan, and any other key cleaning supplies
5.    Bedroom set: Sheet and blanket /comforter sets (twin sets preferred; full sets also accepted)
6.    Bathroom Set: Towels, washcloths, and bath mat
7.    Hygiene kit (for man or woman): toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, nail clippers, razors, shaving gel, lotion, feminine hygiene, etc.
8.    Baby supply kit: Diapers (all sizes needed), baby wipes, Desitin lotion, diaper bag, thermometer

Please contact Debbie at dwilber@hamiltonfamilycenter.org if you’re interested in adopting a family this holiday season!

Who will receive these gifts?

The families in one of Hamilton Family Center’s four programs.

Here’s one family who will benefit…

Hamilton Family Center Residents

Caroline and her 7-year-old son, Jason, entered Hamilton Family Center’s First Avenues program after 5 months in a domestic violence shelter. With First Avenues’ assistance, Caroline moved into a small 1 bedroom apartment in San Francisco. Caroline worked with her Case Manager to update her resume and start applying for jobs. She went on several interviews and was hired as an administrative assistant with an architecture firm in San Francisco.

Caroline’s son Jason was able to stay in the same elementary school that he had been when his family was in shelter, giving Jason some consistency that had been hard to come by. He continued to do well in school but Caroline reported that sometime he would act out. This past summer, through a grant from the Ashbury Foundation, Jason was able to attend classes at Project Commotion. Learning martial arts, Jason was able to find a new outlet for his anger and energy. Jason has started off this school year better prepared to sit through the school day and engage and learn.

Caroline hopes to move to a larger apartment one day, but will stay where she is to provide the stability her family needs at this stage. Surviving on a single, limited income has been a challenge for Caroline, but she is working hard to save money. In the meantime, they are so grateful for the continued support they receive from First Avenues, including gifts during the holiday season.