The Adopt A Family program in action
One tragic night, everything changed for Perla and her family. Her father was locking up his truck when a speeding car came out of nowhere, hitting and killing him on impact. The news spread quickly through the tight-knit community, and within hours, Perla’s principal, teacher, and some moms from the school were at their door.
The girls sat together, staring out the window where their father once stood. Their lives had just been altered forever. Their mother had gone to the hospital in shock, now a widow, grieving her husband, and unsure about how she was going to care for her daughters without him. He had been the family’s provider, and now the future seemed uncertain.
At the time, Perla was a freshman in high school, and her two younger sisters were in sixth and seventh grade. The girls were devastated and their mom, overwhelmed by grief, could barely leave the house.
Through it all, their school community was there, quietly supporting them in any way they could. Whether it was dropping off meals or making sure their needs were met, they tried to lift the burden off the family’s shoulders. That November, their school submitted their profiles for Share Ourselves’ Adopt A Family program.
Something as simple as receiving gifts for the holidays made an incredible change. For the first time since losing their father, the family experienced real joy again. The girls received clothes and shoes–things that had become difficult to afford without their dad. Their mother, who had been so withdrawn, lit up when she received a set of new pots and pans. For her, it was more than just a gift. It was a sign that people she didn’t even know cared and wanted to help her rebuild.
Adopt A Family is not just about the gifts. It’s about making each family feel seen, supported, and loved during difficult times. Those acts of kindness and the Adopt A Family program helped Perla’s family pull out of the darkest period of their lives. The girls started smiling again. Their mom, who hadn’t left the house in weeks, found the motivation to re-engage with the world. She even started volunteering at different food distribution events and brought her daughters along to give back.
Over time, the family began to heal. The girls, all exceptional students, went on to do amazing things. Currently, Perla is thriving at college in San Diego, her sister Kimberly is at Notre Dame on a Ffull-ride scholarship, and the youngest sister Bella is up for the salutatorian of her high school.
The girls were all remarkable to begin with, but being adopted for the holidays brought some light and joy at a dark time. For Perla, it was the most memorable holiday yet. Later, Kimberly called her former principal to thank the school and Share Ourselves for their years of support. “When I grow up, I hope I get to do the same thing for other people like you’ve helped my family,” Kimberly said.