New Country
Maya’s year has been a stressful one, emigrating from her native Syria, navigating the U.S. immigration system and trying to establish a home for her family. She took a job working part time at a local department store as she waited to be reunited with her family. For the first part of the year, her husband and five children were still living in war-torn Syria.
After months of going back and forth with the Office of Refugee Resettlement and the Syrian government, Maya was finally reunited with her family.
They were thrilled to be together again and living in a welcoming, safe community. The entire family attended their first appointment with Bellevue LifeSpring to determine if they could participate in the Holiday Adopt-A-Family™ program.
New Community
Bellevue LifeSpring’s Holiday Adopt-A-Family program matches Bellevue children and their families in need with community sponsors who provide food and gifts for more than 290 families. Each family’s story is unique, but many share a common theme – the simple desire to give joy to their children during the holiday season.
When a Bellevue LifeSpring staff member asked Maya what her children wanted for the holidays, she replied, “No one has ever asked us what we wanted.” She explained they had only been able to think about the bare necessities required to survive. The staff member was deeply touched: “It was such a joy to be able to say, ‘Yes, I can totally add some purple roller skates to your wish list,’ and see their smiles stretch from ear to ear.'”
New Start
This is just one of the stories and smiles that you’re making possible this holiday season. Your support is providing children with the special holiday wishes their parents may not be able to afford. You’re giving them a new community and a better start to the new year.
You can help make children’s wishes come true this holiday season by sponsoring a family or volunteering with Holiday Adopt-A-Family.
