NJ-2025-0066: FAMILY BACKGROUND: 45-year-old mother of four rebuilding stability after homelessness, medical crises, job loss, and two years in motels while caring for a medically fragile child with Down syndrome

FAMILY BACKGROUND: 45-year-old mother of four rebuilding stability after homelessness, medical crises, job loss, and two years in motels while caring for a medically fragile child with Down syndrome. After moving to Michigan in 2021 for employment, she was laid off in late 2022, and by January 2023 her landlord sold their home, forcing the family to leave within ten days. She returned to New Jersey in February 2023, but her youngest child—then only 16 months old—was immediately hospitalized at Goryeb Children’s Hospital for multiple blockages that required a colostomy bag, feeding tube, and numerous surgeries. Because her son needed continuous hospital care from March 2023 to October 2023, the job and home she had lined up in New Jersey fell through.

Beginning July 2023, the family lived in motels, repeatedly relocating every 21 days until they were placed in a stable motel in October 2023, where they remained until June 30, 2025. During this period, the baby underwent additional surgeries, including an ileostomy and later a full reversal in December 2024. At the same time, her fiancé struggled with severe mental health issues, resulting in eight psychiatric admissions. Her older children faced academic and emotional challenges, with her oldest switching to an alternative school and her younger teens enduring harsh treatment while living in the motel environment.

When they finally secured permanent housing in June 2025, they had to leave everything behind due to a severe roach infestation in the motel that destroyed clothing, toys, electronics, and personal belongings. Now four months into their new home, all the children are thriving in school, her fiancé is stable on proper treatment, she is preparing to start her dream job, and the family is slowly rebuilding. She hopes to make this first Christmas in their new home a joyful and meaningful fresh start.

CITY: Madison
COUNTY: Morris County
HOUSEHOLD SIZE: 6

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD:
Age: 45
Sex: Female
Clothing Size: Women Plus 0X
Shoe Size: Women’s 12
Wishlist: ShopRite gift card; Walmart gift card; home items such as a top ice maker, Keurig, mixer for baking, and a pots and pans set

ADULT 2:
Age: Not provided
Sex: Male
Clothing Size: Men 42
Shoe Size: 12
Wishlist: Sport Clips and Walmart gift cards, plus clothes including XXL shirts and 42x32 pants.

CHILD #1:
Age: 4
Sex: Male
Clothing Size: Toddler 5T
Shoe Size: Infant 9
Wishlist: Melissa & Doug pretend food toys, toys with lights, small table and chairs, collapsible couch, Duplo Legos, sensory toys, socks, clothing (4–5T)

CHILD #2:
Age: 7
Sex: Female
Clothing Size: Women 4
Shoe Size: Women’s 6
Wishlist: Real tea set; dollhouse; two Barbies; calligraphy set; notebook set; new shoes; girls 8/10 clothing; pajamas; socks; underwear; sports bra; juniors medium shirts and pants

CHILD #3:
Age: 16
Sex: Male
Clothing Size: Men 36
Shoe Size: Men’s 11
Wishlist: Xbox gift card; Xbox controller; shirts (L/XL); socks; pants 36x32; boxers

CHILD #4:
Age: 18
Sex: Male
Clothing Size: Men 32
Shoe Size: Men’s 12
Wishlist: Pokémon cards; Legos; shirts (M/L); skinny jeans (32–33W x 34L); socks; anime-themed items