NJ-2026-0056: Mother of four caring for a nonverbal son with autism while living with arthritis, asking for a little help this Christmas

FAMILY BACKGROUND:
A mother of four lives in an apartment in Elizabeth with her 15-year-old daughter and her sons, ages 11, 8 and 4. Her youngest son is autistic and nonverbal, and he needs a great deal of care, attention, supervision and support. As his primary caregiver, she can't work as many hours as she would like. She also lives with arthritis in her right leg and knee, which makes working and keeping up with everything physically hard at times. Between food, clothing, household needs, school costs and everyday expenses, it is often extremely hard to make everything stretch, and at times she has to choose between paying rent and buying food or medicine. She has been a mother since she was 14 and grew up never having anything, which is why she works so hard for her four children. She isn't asking anyone to solve everything. She is simply asking for a little help during a hard season, so she can give her children a happy and meaningful holiday. Her biggest wish is for all of her children's wishes to come true.

CITY: Elizabeth, NJ 07206
STATE: New Jersey
COUNTY: UNION
HOUSEHOLD SIZE: 5
HEALTH CONDITIONS IN HOUSEHOLD: Autism; Bone, joint or muscle condition, including arthritis or muscular dystrophy; Developmental or learning disability, including ADHD
HOW THE FAMILY CAN RECEIVE GIFTS: US Postal Service; FedEx; UPS; Delivered by Santa Claus

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD:
Age: 30
Sex: Female
Clothing Size: Women's 2X
Shoe Size: Men's 8.5
Wishlist: iPad, vanity desk, makeup brushes, new fridge, pink Stanley cup, a trip to Puerto Rico for her December birthday (her first trip as an adult)

ADULT #2:
Age: 61
Sex: Female
Clothing Size: Women's 2X
Shoe Size: Women's 9.5
Wishlist: TJ Maxx gift card, anything Betty Boop, new queen bed, Reebok sneakers (women's size 9), TV

CHILD #1:
Age: 15
Sex: Female
Clothing Size: Women's M
Shoe Size: Women's 7
Wishlist: Vanity set, iPad, bling set, press-on nails, big mirror

CHILD #2:
Age: 8
Sex: Male
Clothing Size: Kids 12
Shoe Size: Youth 5.5
Wishlist: Nintendo Switch, Robux, watch, dinosaurs, iPad

CHILD #3:
Age: 11
Sex: Male
Clothing Size: Kids 14
Shoe Size: Men's 8
Wishlist: Robux, V-Bucks, iPad, skateboard, headphones, PS5 or Nintendo Switch

CHILD #4:
Age: 4
Sex: Male
Clothing Size: Kids 5
Shoe Size: Kids 13.5
Wishlist: Communication device, farm toys with animals, Baby Shark, mini trampoline, dinosaurs, books with lights and sounds. He is autistic and nonverbal, so toys and activities that encourage communication and sensory play, with lights, sounds and engagement, would be especially appreciated.