NJ-2025-0089: FAMILY BACKGROUND: 29-year-old single mother of two young daughters balancing ongoing medical needs after a premature birth with financial hardship and limited work options.

FAMILY BACKGROUND:
29-year-old single mother of two young daughters balancing ongoing medical needs after a premature birth with financial hardship and limited work options. About a year ago, she gave birth at 35 weeks, and her baby was premature with significant feeding difficulties. The baby remained in the NICU for three months, which was emotionally painful as she also had an older child at home who needed attention. During this time, postpartum depression made everything harder, and maintaining employment was nearly impossible with the constant need to be in the hospital. After the NICU stay, her younger child was transferred to an inpatient hospital for an additional month and was discharged with a feeding tube. Even now, although the tube has been removed, the child continues to struggle with an eating disorder and requires frequent doctor visits, limiting the mother’s ability to work a traditional full-time job. She is grateful for the support of her parents but is still struggling financially and is seeking help so she can provide a meaningful Christmas for her children.

CITY: Wayne
COUNTY: Passaic County
HOUSEHOLD SIZE: 3

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD:
Age: 29
Sex: Female
Clothing Size: Women 8
Shoe Size: Women’s 7.5
Wishlist: Open to any support; clothing or household essentials would be appreciated

CHILD #1:
Age: 2
Sex: Female
Clothing Size: Toddler 4T
Shoe Size: Infant 8.5
Wishlist: Minnie Mouse toys and a kitchen-themed puzzle

CHILD #2:
Age: 1
Sex: Female
Clothing Size: Baby 24M
Shoe Size: infant 4
Wishlist: Toys such as ice cream-themed toys, toy cars, puzzles, and shoes (infant size 4)