Rustic Canyon Toy Drive (Updated)

Here is an update on our Toy Drive:

If you are interested in contributing, please drop off unwrapped toys, canned good, non-perishable goods, batteries, and clothes for various youth sizes to the office. We will be making ten baskets for ten families to make their holiday season a little more special this year.

Due to confidentiality of the cases, the names of the families have been changed or removed, but their stories are the same.

1) We have a 10-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy who are being raised by a single mother who was a victim of domestic violence. (Already being sponsored)

2) We have another family whose son was killed in a drive-by shooting and the family can't afford to bury him. We are collecting gifts for the remaining 2 kids. The girl is 8 and the boy is 4. (Already being sponsored)

3) We also have another single mother who has two kids, a 3-year-old girl, and an eleven-year-old boy, who just took in a 16-year-old boy.

4) Esmie is a 27-year-old Latina female who arrived in Los Angeles, CA about 13 years ago. A few months after arriving in this country she met her partner (her sister’s brother in law) who manipulated her to leave her sister’s house to come live with him. Esmie reported that the first few months into their relationship were excellent but the cycle of abuse began when she became pregnant with her now 9-year-old daughter. Esmie was raped daily and physically/emotionally abused by her partner who threatened her. Fast forward 6 years later Esmie gets pregnant after he raped her. During her pregnancy, she was physically abused by her partner to induce an abortion, however, her son Eddie was born full term (40 weeks).

The effects of the abuse are evident in both Julie and Eddie. About 6 months ago, Esmie built up the courage to report the abuse to the police after Julie was physically abused by her father. Esmie waited for her partner to go to sleep and took her children and run away from her abusive relationship. Esmie is having a very difficult time financially as she is the sole provider for her family. Esmie and her children report that although they do not have much they are happy and no longer afraid of the abuse they endure for many years.

Julie is 9 years old and enjoys playing with dolls, playdoh, loves the tablet she received from school, and likes to draw. Julie is also very creative and loves to create things (i.e. jewelry making, building houses). Julie loves to listen to music. Julie is a growing child and her clothing sizes are as follow: 12/14, shoe size.

Eddie: he is very active, loves to play with his toy cars, trains, and loves Mickey. Eddie likes playdoh and enjoys coloring. Eddie’s clothing size is as follow: 5T and shoe size is a 9.

5) Lina is a 36-year-old female born in Guatemala. Lina never went to school and at the age of 17, she was given to marriage to one of the families of the town that she lived in. Lina had two children and during her marriage, Lina endured abuse but her parents reminded her that she was to stay with her husband no matter what happens. One day her husband left her for another younger girl from the town close to them. Lina went back to live with her parents and continue to work the fields with her father. Lina knew that she wanted a different life for her children and came to the U.S.

After her arrival, Lina worked for a period of 8 years alone and met her younger children’s father at one of the sweat factories that she currently works for. Lina was promised the stars and the mood by this man. A short time after they moved in without another they had their first son. During this period Lina husband began drinking and began to manipulate and control her. Lina reported that after 5 years she had her 2nd child in this relationship. After her daughter was born her partner began drinking more and he stopped working. Lina reports that she usually works a 12-hour shift. Lina reported that her partner began drinking more and abusing her daily. Lina was able to bring her 17-year-old son from Guatemala after not seeing him for 17 years. Lina reported that when her son arrived her partner became very abusive to her because they would often speak in their native indigenous language. Lina reported that partner wanted to become abusive with her 17-year-old but she did not allow him. Lina reported that the abuse that was happening daily became to increase in intensity. Lina reported that she decided to leave him after he became abusive to her children. Lina was recently diagnosed with an incurable brain tumor as of October 12. Lina has spent about 3 weeks at the hospital and her children were left with her cousin. Lina has stopped working and has recently received an eviction noticed due to not being able to pay her rent and bills. Lina has a 17-year-old son, a 10-year-old son, and a 3-year-old daughter.

Alan is a 10-year-old who loves to play video games, enjoys spending time with his friends and loves to play with his sister. Alan clothes size is 14 in boys and shoe size is 4 in boy’s size.

Sophie is 3 years old. Sophie likes to play with her house, dolls, and dishes. Sophie is a size 4T and shoes she is a size 9.

6) This family has two girls, ages 10 years and 12 years of age. This is currently all the information we have.

7) This family has a 2-year-old, 5-year-old, 6-year-old, and 8-year-boy. They are struggling financially. Their father recently lost his job and their mother is a stay at home parent.

8) The mother of this family is a victim of Domestic Violence and she is 25-years-old. She has a 5-year-old and 9-year-old daughter.

9) A single mother of 5 children who is the sole provider for her children. She was a victim of a crime in her community and has been able to receive some assistance from victims of crime, however, due to trauma received by the crime she was exposed to she is struggling and her children are struggling to see their mother work hard but never have enough to provide for them. The two teen girls have taken the role of the adult when Mom is out working 10 hours a day. The family has a long history of Domestic violence. Currently, the family consists of Mom, and 3 boys ages 7, 9, 10 and 2 girls 12, 15. (Already being sponsored)

10) There is also another family of 3 (Mom and two girls ages 15 and 13.) They have also experienced violent incidents between Mom and Dad. They currently have an open case with DCFS because of being exposed to DV. Mom was able to get a restraining order against The children's Dad and is currently single parent to her children. Mom is actively working to try to make sure that her two young daughters do not experience the same events she has experienced since her childhood. Mother herself was a product of a violent home as a child and she has taken an active role in trying to change her daughters experience moving forward. Both young ladies suffered from depression and low self-esteem but are also great students. Mom is very limited in her resources but works hard to provide a stable home environment free of violence now. Mom suffers from depression but always puts her daughters first. (Already being sponsored)

Since the Toy Drive is going so well, we were able to add one more family to help this year!

11) A 25-year-old mother of two children girl, 5, and a 2-year-old boy. This young Mom is a product of the foster care system with a long history of abandonment and trauma. Mom became a very young mother and has struggled with inter-partner violence. The two children are very well behaved but often worry about their mom. Mom works two jobs. Mom never had an opportunity to finish high school because she was often moved from one home to another while in the foster care system. Mom has no support system and is currently a single parent.

We will be accepting donations up to December 16th, 2017 for the families mentioned in this e-mail, but do not feel discouraged to donate after to help some others.

You are welcome to drop off donations to the office for these families, or you can also sponsor a family and help ensure their holiday season is one to remember.

Anything you can donate is greatly appreciated!

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail us at rusticcanyon.rc@lacity.org.