Culture of Peace Initiative

Hi, we are writing on behalf of a family in crisis in our community.

This is the first time NICO has made such a request.

The mother has five children ranging from age 9 through 17 and their household includes her 88 year-old grandmother. Her former husband left the family in 2005. Child support and alimony payments have been irregular. This support is needed to maintain monthly expenses. Her efforts to find work have been hampered by the special needs of two daughters who began exhibiting signs of significant mental illness at 11 and 12 years of age. For three years, 9-11 calls to Emergency Police and Fire average 4 to 7 times a week. The state’s mental health sector is overwhelmed. The mother fought and won the up-hill battle to get mental health services for the girls through the state.

Now, at ages 13 and 14, respectively, the girls are doing much better. An ending has come in sight. They are no longer continually running away and have fewer episodes of acting out violently. Special-needs schools are seeking to address the girl’s academic rekindling and anger management. Unfortunate timing, this great achievement comes at a time when their family is facing eviction from their home due to delinquent child support and alimony payments totaling $19,000. DSHS Division of Child Support Enforcement is actively involved.

Recently, the mother has been unable to afford to heat their home. This has led to the children being sick and hospitalized with multiple visits to the emergency room. Four months delinquent, they need to raise $5,554.00. Half of this amount paid within two weeks will prevent eviction. The mortgage is a low interest 30-year fixed-loan. Under normal circumstances the mortgage manageable by the mother – who is frugal and not an extravagant spender.

Friends are helping the mother with resume writing. Along with regular employment, she may be able to get additional salary for going back to school and finishing her degree. She is willing to do whatever it takes to bring her family back from the brink of poverty and homelessness. This mother and her children have been participants and contributors to many of the NICO programs over the past five years. This is where the values that guide our faith meet the road that we walk together. Here’s an opportunity to demonstrate that we live in a loving and caring community.

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