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Family who escaped abuse left with nothing By Buffy Pollock Updated: Dec 19, 2022 04:20 PM A A Editor’s note: Light One Candle is an annual series sponsored by the Mail Tribune that focuses on an individual, group or organization who could use a helping hand during the holiday season. Once that need is filled, donations may be distributed to others in need. A family who escaped a life of domestic violence is desperate for transportation, a double stroller, household items and some holiday cheer. After escaping years of abuse, a mother and three daughters are still at the beginning of a very long road of healing. Knowing they would have little besides the clothes on their backs, the mother packed up and left an abusive home in search of safety. Losing all support from family and everything they owned, the mother chose her children’s safety and well-being over all else. Lacey Elliott, outreach coordinator for Children’s Advocacy Center in Medford, said the family is safe and eager for a happy future but lacks nearly everything they need to begin rebuilding a home. The family is not unlike countless others served by the center, which works with children who have experienced abuse or witnessed violent crimes to provide a “holistic, trauma informed, multidisciplinary, coordinated approach” to intervening in child abuse cases by providing forensic interviews, medical evaluations, therapy services and family advocacy for families in these times of need. While having each other is all that matters, the mother and her three girls, Elliott said, could use some community support to build their new life. “They need everything. They need clothing and furnishings for their new home. They need reliable transportation as they walk everywhere they go. A dream come true would be a reliable, safe automobile for this family,” Elliott said. Having to walk everywhere they go, the mother also wished for a double stroller, to make walking with three young children a little bit easier. The entire family could also use winter clothing — coats, gloves and hats — and blankets. Grocery delivery gift cards, Uber gift cards, public transportation passes or VISA gift cards to help with the rising costs of everyday living would be a blessing. The oldest of the three girls likes to ride bikes and scooters, play kitchen and Barbies and paint her nails. She expressed to advocacy center caseworkers that she misses all the toys she had to leave behind in her old home. The two younger girls love to play with make-believe toys like tea sets, dollhouses and baby dolls. The youngest girl could use a crib, a walker and baby supplies such as diapers and wipes. For clothing sizes, the 7-year-old wears girls clothing size XL and size 5 shoes. The 2-year-old wears size 3/4T, infant shoes size 6 and 3-4T in Pull-ups. The 9-month-old wears size 12-18 months, infant size 2 shoes and size 5 diapers. To help, contact Lacey Elliot at 541-734-5437, ext. 1020, or send an email to [email protected].