Watch Jose's video

Overview

My wife left me and my three children when my youngest child was six months old. I have a seven year old boy, eight year old girl, and an eleven year old girl. 

The kids' winter clothes from last year don't fit them anymore. This will help me keep my children warm and when they go outside I will be relieved because my children will not be cold. I have tried to get these clothes from other agencies but they ask me for receipts for light and gas and I don't have them because I only rent a room.

My children walk to school which is five blocks away from our house.  If the weather is really bad then I drop them off in my car. Last year a few of their teachers noticed that they did not have proper winter clothing and they collected some new and old clothes for my children.

Usually I go to thrift stores to find clothes for my children because I cannot afford to buy new clothes for my children.  I very rarely if ever buy anything new for them. Sometimes my children ask me why they don't have new clothes, and I tell them I can only get used clothes because I  cannot afford to buy new clothes. My children look at other kids in school and ask me daddy can you buy this jacket for me but I have to tell them no. And they say its okay, daddy when you have the money you can buy it for us.

I am renting a bedroom from my brother in his house and living there with my three children. My wife left me and my three children when my youngest child was six months old. I have a seven year old boy, eight year old girl, and an eleven year old girl. My children all go to a public school in Evanston.

Right now I am working in a company that distributes ethnic foods to different grocery stores. I work 40 hours a week.  I have to pay for a babysitter because I need to work and there is no one to watch my children. I pay for school supplies, food, and utilities, and even though I am renting a bedroom I pay for the lights and gas.

My future goal is to see my children grow and go to school. My children want to go to college and get an education. But I know that this is really difficult.

I also want to move out of my brother's house and rent my own apartment. I have tried to do this but I am always asked if I have previous credit, which I do not.

Watch Maria's video

Validated

Validated by Maria from Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4) (What does this mean?)

I have known Jose since April 2010 when he started to attend the Parenting classes. Jose has three children ages seven, eight and eleven years old. The children’s mother left them when the youngest child was six months old and Jose is a single father. Jose rents a bedroom in his brother’s apartment.  He works in a distribution warehouse and has no money to buy new winter apparel for his children. He usually gets second hand clothing or clothing from thrift stores and never gets the opportunity to buy new clothes for his children. I’m really proud and excited to help him, because every day he is a dedicated father. He is always looking for ways to help his children. 

About Maria

My name is Maria Andrino-Perez. I have been working for Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4) for 10 years as a Parent Educator/Home Visitor. Working in the Parenting Program gives me the opportunity to work with the community and I have been able to provide support and teach parenting… Read more