You have given our families the gift of love.

As a thank you, we thought you would love to hear from some of the families we have served over the years. Ellen, Lynette and Marianne have expressed their gratitude in their own words. All were served by the Intensive Services Program. Ellen just graduated from Divinity School. Lynette is working as a bookkeeper. Marianne is working as a dental assistant

Dear Friends,

I want to send a special message about Adopt A Family of Marin.

My name is Ellen. On May 20th, I walked across the stage at San Francisco Theological Seminary to receive my Master of Divinity degree. Shortly, my family and I will move to Washington, where I will complete a hospital chaplaincy at Harborview Medical Center and University of Washington Hospital in Seattle. I am especially excited because I am graduated in three years, one year earlier than expected. So, possibly by January, I could be approved for ordination in the Presbyterian Church. I am telling you all this because, while this is the end of a long journey, it is the beginning of an even longer one. And, you are a part of this journey.

How many of you have heard of Adopt A Family? Well then, perhaps many of you know that it is an organization that reaches out to help single parents, mothers, in particular. And, they have a special interest in single mothers who want to pursue more education. Adopt A Family finds people in Marin County who are interested in helping these moms. They find people like you.

I am writing today to thank you personally for believing in Adopt A Family. I am one of those single mothers. You have given my family new hope and a new beginning.

So, if you will permit me, I would like to introduce myself. I am a mother of 4 beautiful, talented, loving, and special children. I am also a mother who was financially comfortable until a couple of years ago. I had a nice home. It had a pool. I loved my pool. Unfortunately, that pool came with an abusive husband and father. So, my children and I left our home, family, and friends in the eastern part of our country. We came to California where I began my education at San Francisco Theological Seminary and our family began a new life.

It wasn't so hard at first. Then, the car needed repair. So, did my teeth — about $4,000 worth. Children got sick. Unexpected bills seemed to come in right and left. It became harder and harder to make ends meet. Then, last year, I met a fear that I never thought I would know. I did not have enough food for our table. A friend suggested Adopt A Family. They had helped her when she was struggling. I didn't call at first. After all, people like me don't need places like that.

It wasn't long before I changed my mind. There came a week when I could not buy milk. I was really scared. I called. My phone call began a relationship that I will never forget. I went through a few interviews and filled out a few papers. It wasn't long before I found out that I would be receiving help with putting milk on the table again.

And, there are other ways Adopt-A-Family has been there for us. They offered assistance with some medical bills. They helped me with a portion of my rent. Single mothers there are offered counseling services — just someone to talk to about all those little things that added up to being completely overwhelmed ...

It is important that you know that Adopt A Family does not take over. They don't give single mothers all the answers or do it all for us. Even better, they offer exactly what we need to get a start in a new life. It is pretty amazing what you find yourself capable of after a few of the right words of encouragement. And, the financial help doesn't take care of the problems. Even better, it allows single mothers to see a way to take care of their own problems.

I am only one single parent. I have only one story. There are so many others — each with their own story — women with their own special voice. It is a reality that we are a growing population.

Yet, it is through people like you, that women like me can find a new life. We can offer something better to our children. When we feel the love and support of others, we find a new energy to hear our own call in God's world. So, we end up spreading that love to others. We are able to be better parents, partly because someone loves us, too. We are able to offer more to a society that needs as much love and care as we can give it.

Adopt A Family has given all that and more to my children, myself, and so many other families. Our family is one family that is living proof that with enough education, love, and kindness, you can find a healthy life full of laughter and hope for the future.

On May 20th, when I walk across that stage, I will walk with each one of you. Thank you, from my heart, for all you have given my family.

Ellen

To all my friends at Adopt A Family,

Again I just want to thank you for all that you have done for me over the past few years. I knew when I left Daniel that it was going to be hard, but I had no idea that it would be this hard. I tried on more than one occasion to leave but not having the financial ability to care for the kids on my own made it very hard for me to stay gone for good. Your agency is like a guardian angel to me and without you I might not have gotten to where I am today.

I am determined the break the life cycle that we as women have seen in our family. Our family has a history of teenage pregnant mothers and when I had my daughter at sixteen I wanted to show her that things could be done differently. Your agency made it possible for me to at least start breaking that cycle. By me becoming the first to graduate in my family shows Shana she has other options. Thank you for allowing this possibility to become a reality.

Again, thank you for having faith in me and being there when I needed you. I really appreciate it.

Lynette

My name is Marianne and I have 2 daughters, ages 12 and 14. I was a client of Adopt a Family of Marin and I want to tell you that I would not be where I am today without the financial and emotional support they gave me.

I am a recovering alcoholic and addict. My life was a mess. I went to a treatment center for nine months which gave me a foundation that I could begin to build on.

I came to Adopt a Family of Marin and we built this foundation up and up and up together. I would take a step of two and they would be there to hold my hand, to encourage me, to help me overcome financial troubles as well.

I now have a car and insurance. I have completed the 18 month journey through the Dental School at College of Marin. I have a good job and I am able earn a fairly decent living that supports me and my daughters.

Without Adopt A Family, and my very special case worker Lynn, all of this would not have happened. Thank you so much for letting me write this letter of appreciation to everyone at Adopt a Family of Marin.

Marianne

These thank you's are from families served through the years.

About 12 years ago I had the wonderful blessing of being introduced to an extraordinary agency known as Adopt a Family of Marin As a single parent of two-year-old boy/girl twins meeting the staff was truly a lifeline for my family. The support that I was provided by this agency was quite astonishing, and to this day I've yet to find an agency that models their success at providing single families with the vital tools and genuine support that are conducive to a single parent becoming self-sustaining. I was extremely impressed with the agency's "adopt-a-family" concept that is truly indicative of the way the staff embraced us. With the agency's help and support I was given the opportunity to get back into the workforce and sustain my family.

I would like to take this blessed opportunity to say "Thank You" to the Board of Directors and staff at Adopt a Family of Marin for its remarkable support. Based on the amazing success of my story and others, I believe this agency's unique concept should be modeled nationwide. It provides single parents with the impetus and tools to prosper mentally and financially. It's my dream and passion to one day give something back by modeling the concept of Adopt a Family of Marin and reaching out to other single parents who have a desire to grow and just need a genuinely concerned support team. Thank you. Vanessa Favors

I have been a part of the Adopt a Family of Marin's family since 1997 when I first moved to Marin. I have been shown nothing but love from day one. Adopt a Family of Marin has been a shoulder for me to lean on in my family's times of need. There is always a loving and caring person around even if I just need a listening ear. I am a single mother of 3 children trying to raise a family that I can be proud of and Adopt a Family of Marin have had a hand in guiding us into this beautiful blossom. The staff there will always have a big part in my heart and I know I have a part in theirs. Nikia Blue

When my wife and I first heard about Adopt a Family of Marin, and how they help people, we couldn't believe it was true. But we got an appointment and were amazed at the greeting we received. My wife had just been diagnosed with a fast progressing cancer and had to quit her job. Adopt a Family helped us supplement my income with food certificates. And when I had to cut back on my hours to take care of Darlene as she was dying, the staff really stepped forward. They helped with our rent and with food. But most of all they helped by giving us the warmth and love that we needed. My daughter Vanessa and I will never forget the kindness and generosity shown us. May God bless everyone at Adopt a Family of Marin. Carlos Taylor

Many thanks to all who have traveled with us on our road to self-sufficiency. From food to clothes to counseling to the most magical Christmases ever, you were there when we needed help. Our gratitude just keeps on flowing. Special thanks for scholarship and career planning assistance. I have my own tutoring and childcare business now and also teach early academic preparation to parents of preschoolers. I get to see huge progress with my tutoring students so I know the feeling of helping others to succeed. Thank you again for your kindness, your love, and your huge, humane and never judgemental hearts. You made it possible for us to rebuild our lives with dignity and grace. Keep sending out those survival lines...they work! Much Love to All, Beth and Gussie

Return to top of page