Can anyone help my family for Christmas?

Question

My husband lost his job, and we just obtained custody of one of our grandchildren, and are facing having to move after the first of the year.
We are on a very limited income, and could use all the help we can get. We don't have the money to go out and get a new place right now, for first month and security.
Our grandchild is 5, and was in a very abusive and neglectful situation. Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Go to your local government agency or church. I'm sure they would be able to help u in any way.

Answer 2

All this advice the others have given you are very sound,Last year I was outta work,very little money,and lots broken dreams(I had given up twenty years of drug using the hard way by letting myself get caught in a drug test,which I couldve easily beaten but it was time to quit)So i sat Christmas Eve all alone remembering the good times and thanking Jesus I was still alive.It was tough,but I remembered the reason for the season and lit a candle and sang Happy Birthday.( a new tradition I plan to keep)My wife had left me a week earlier before the drug test and instead of despair their was joy,I was jobless,penniless,and had been living on a scrap of money at a time for a whole year,so please take my advice and realize that it can get better,it will just take time,let go of your possesions,because in trying to save the life you know you will sacrifice everything and the stress will be much to bear on you guys.I live in Vegas now and if your around here I can help,otherwise I can only offer you an outlet and emotional support.I've been there and this is where you really find out whats important and whats not,you can e-mail me if you like through my profile on Q&A,I'm willing to hear you 'cause like I said,I've been there

Answer 3

I am on a limited income too, barely getting by with help from family members. Sorry to hear about your husband's job, but I think it's great what y'all are doing for your grandchild.

If the child was abused and neglected, then your love and attention will be the most important things that you can give this year. Of course, a 5 year old will also want toys.

I suggest you contact the local churches and dept. of human services ASAP. It can be hard to swallow pride sometimes, but it is for your grandchild. I am in Texas, and here they offer something called TANF (temporary assistance for needy families) If you are in a short-term situation, you can get like $1,000 one time. Or, if it's a more long-term deal, you can look into getting a smaller amount of money on a monthly basis. They may also be able to help you find where to look for low-income housing. (which will probably have a waiting list, but the sooner you get on the list the sooner you will have a chance at a home if you need it.)

If you aren't ready to ask for help from these places, or if they can't give you enough help, try looking at your local walmart. (or dollar store if it's more convenient.) The last two years I hit the 88 cent rack at Walmart to get my daughter's Christmas presents. She loved them as much as the more expensive presents she got from other family members! And she played with them more. Just dont' get the cheap barbie-type dolls. They break too easily.

At 5 years old, I bet your grandchild is full of curiousity about the world around him/her. Take the time on Christmas and Christmas Eve to let him/her help make food. Home-made decorations are something that children take great pride in. All you need is scissors, crayons, and paper! (Glue sticks can be nice too.) You could make chains of colorful paper to hang up, snow flakes, wintery pictures, etc... And don't forget about the classic traditions such as reading "The Night Before Christmas". You should be able to find a copy of the story online. Probably even one with pictures! And singing and dancing to cheerful Christmas songs can help lift everyone's spirits.

I wish you the best. I wish I could help more.

Answer 4

Im not sure what help you are looking for, but I highly doubt you will find hand outs on the internet.

You need to go to your local Church, or Salvation Army, if you are looking for food or clothing.

I am a single mum of 2, and I find it alot easier to pay things off on layby or layaway, I do this for everying ALL year so my kids dont go without. There is still a few weeks to go, so maybe you could put a toy away and pay it off for yr Grandson.

There is work out there if you are willing, you could always take in some ironing, clean houses, or mow lawns, and do general household maitanence................just be creative to earn some extra cash for Xmas.

Theres alot of people in the same situation as you.

Answer 5

What kind of help were you looking for? Financial, spiritual, ideas?

I would send you a few dollars, but I don't know how it would reach you.(I don't have your address, etc) I would go to a local church--even if you don't belong to the church, and ask for help.

Contact the Salvation Army, there are lots of programs right now where there are toys for kids during Christmas.

I would also work on getting some sort of job in the meantime.

Please take care, I hope everthing goes well!!!!

Ooh, I almost forgot, if you are taking care of one of your grandchildren, the state should be able to help you out with some money, healthcare, food stamps, etc, until you get back on your feet.

Answer 6

Sorry to hear about your situation, but thank you for saving your young granddaughter. She will be eternally grateful in years to come that she had the love and support of her grandparents.

Here is a small suggestion, I did it one year when things were tight. I found all sorts of coloring pages online, and printed them down, then pouched out holes in the side of the paper, and secured the stack of coloring paper with pretty ribbon. I then made a special cover for them, with their name, and all on it, that was their favorite gift from Santa. I also found pictures of Barbies and Dragons, and printed those onto paper, put them into an old frame I had lying around the house, and they couldn't wait to hang the photos on their walls. A box of crayons at the dollar store and a couple of trinkets, along with the homemade gifts gave the kids the feeling of Santa, and put smiles on their faces.

Also, have the child leave Santa a note with his milk and cookies, and have Santa sign the note of thanks for the milk and cookies, and the carrots for the reindeer.

Make memories...in years to come, that is what she will remember.

I also provided you a link below, hopefully you will be able to find an assortment of ideas from it, and create your own special memories with your granddaughter.

Good luck and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Edited: I saw this link on the evening news, I can't believe I forgot this site. Toys for tots does a lot great things for kids at Christmas.

Answer 7

im sorry to hear about ur situation. that's horrible timing. but there's no time to feel sorry for urself. u have a 5 year old to tend to. be strong for him/her? have ur husband look for a job. right now all the stores are hiring. may not be what he's used to, but it's income. and you can see if u can get financial help through the government. the key right now is not to loose momentum. i truly believe that God does not put us in situations we can't handle. and this too, u will overcome.

good luck.

Answer 8

Depending on the State you live in....there are services in place to help you. Contact your local Social Services or City Representatives for advice where you can get help with food, shelter and even better......finding your husband a new job. These agencies work and stay in place because of taxpayer dollars. Allow the system to do its work for you until you and your family can get back on your feet.

Answer 9

You can contact organizations like the Red Cross or local Adopt a Family to help you out during this rough time.

Answer 10

You need to go to your local church and get help. Find a good Christian church near you and talk to the Pastor. They will help you if you are ready to take control of your life. God loves you and will not let you down. If you need government assistance they will help there also and will probably help with your finances until you get straightened out. God Bless you and your family. I will pray for you.

Answer 11

Please contact your local Salvation Army (it's in the phone book.) They have some programs to help in this type of situation, and are well-connected so they know about other programs, too. They can either help you or refer you to the right place to get help. They're pretty busy this time of year, so they may sound rushed when you speak to them. Don't take it personally. This is their busy season, but they really want to help. Please let them.