K's Story and YOU CAN HELP!

We found her! We found K and the kids yesterday!

K on the bed with baby M, who turned two months old on Wednesday. Nine year old D and seven year old Little K watch cartoons in the background.

***

Wow, guys, where do I start? First of all, I want to THANK YOU so very very much for reading the story about K and her children, and commenting and emailing me and wanting to help. To me, your response of love and help has got to be what is best about blogging.

And now, I have some very good news for you... and it's time to help in whatever way you can, which I'll detail below.

I spent several hours over the past days walking around downtown, hoping I would see K again, so that I could talk to her more and try to figure out what kind of help she needed and how we could get it to her. I tried to call her voicemail but it was full, so I was anxious at not being able to leave her a message.

And then on Tuesday, I was able to leave her a voicemail. I explained that I was trying to find her, that there were many good-hearted people out there who cared about her and wanted to help her, but that I needed to find a way to her. And then she called me.

As luck would have it, my blogging friend Sarah had emailed me and offered to help find K, and as a social worker, had all the right information behind her to help. Today we met up downtown and went to K in the room she has in a hotel. The three children and her share a tiny room. But they are together and they are safe.

Tomorrow they would have had to check out of the hotel, where they have been staying for almost a month since they had to leave their home with just a few bits of clothes.

***

K, Sarah and I discussed the situation. K has been doing all the right things she can do, and is contacting the battered women shelters on a regular basis until she can find a place. She has a social worker, but between the caseloads and the state of the economy, there is very little that can be done yet.

K is doing all she can: she goes to domestic violence classes. She makes sure the kids go to their doctor and dentist appointments. The children are going to school full-time and go to after-school programs, too. Soon, K will be receiving assistance, including a small stipend ($635 a month) plus food stamps and health care. Until I met her, begging was the only way she was able to pay for her hotel room and for food for the kids.

But until she can find a stable home and work, anything we can do will help her and her family immensely. K doesn't smoke, drink or take drugs. But she had a husband who almost killed her (he's gone now), and it's taking all of her strength and bravery to get through this difficult time.

***

I think we have the cell phone thing figured out. Sarah has an extra cell phone she isn't using, so I think we are good there.

The kids are okay for clothes, but her son D could use a few more things. K left with just a few clothes and needs some underwear.

So, this is where you come in, if you want to join Team Tangobaby and the Do-Gooders (I just made that up)!

1. Post about K and her story. Link to this post and the first post about her on your blog.
2. Tell all of your friends who don't read blogs.
3. You can donate money here (see sidebar) and that money will go directly to K for housing, clothes and food. I will be able to give her the money directly until we can set up a bank account for her. Sooner is better, though. Like now.
   
4. K wants to work. She has experience doing clerical work and can answer phones and do office work. She would love to have a part-time job while the kids are in school. So if any local employers can help with that, please let me know.
5. She wants to find a place to live. Having a home will mean everything to her.
   
6. Write her an email and I will print it out and give it to her when I see her. She feels so alone in the world, and I have promised her that there are many many people who are proud of her and wish her all the best. Write her an email and send it to me at tangobaby2 AT gmail DOT com.

***

I spoke to K tonight when I got home. We talked about getting her a little refrigerator so that she can store breast milk for the baby. Right now in her hotel room, without a refrigerator, she has no way to store the milk. We talked about things the kids like to do (they like the aquarium and the playground), and we talked about makeup. I told her I used to be a makeup artist and we talked about different brands of makeup and what we like. I told her that when she is all settled, we will do her makeup and have a photo shoot and then you can see her at her best.

When I tell you that she is a sweet young woman who just wants to work and take care of her kids, I mean it.

And when I say that you can help, I mean it. Please help. Email me if you want to do more.

And most of all, thank you!

***

ps.: If nothing else, please take a few moments to write K an email. Just knowing that she has friends in all corners of the world will do wonders for her. I can see it in her eyes. I know how wonderful you are. Write her a note. Send it to me and I will be so proud of you all to give her your good wishes and hope.

pss.: I will be away from a computer for most of Thursday but can check email on my phone. I hope to hear from you!

xoxo