Past Newsletters
(Downloadable PDF Files)
October/November/December 2009
October/November/December 2007
Newsletters
Articles from the MEND Newsletter
Hope is
something I never had before
Aurora Castillo is a single mother who lives in a studio apartment with her three children. She says a few weeks ago she had nothing -- no home, no clothing, no food, and no support system. These were not, however, her darkest days.
For 20 years she was a victim of domestic violence because she had nowhere to go and because she thought it would be worse for her children if they were to leave the only home they knew. It was her children, however, who eventually begged her to leave and who gave her the strength to do so.
“It’s was a very difficult time. I had to leave with nothing. I had no clothes, no food, no money for the bus even. The first thing MEND did was put me in touch with a mothers’ support group. Then I received clothing for the children and a box of food.”
She says nothing gave the family more hope than the backpacks for the children filled with school supplies, provided by MEND’s Clothing Department. Something as simple as a backpack can, she says, transform a life. “My children suddenly were full of joy. They felt they belonged. Those backpacks were a huge thing for us”.
With MEND’s help, Aurora is getting through tough times and is focused on taking English classes and entering a job skills program. “If it wasn’t for MEND, I don’t know where I would be. They have given me many things... but the most important thing is hope. This is something I didn’t have before.”
MEND will continue to help Aurora until the family gets back on its feet. With your help MEND can continue to make a difference to families facing hard times.
Disclaimer: The name and subjects of the photographs
have been changed to protect the client’s identity.
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