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Family of 4 needs housing, gas cards Monday Dec 18, 2017 at 12:01 AM Sarah Lemon for the Mail Tribune @thewholedish Editor’s note: Light One Candle is an annual series sponsored by the Mail Tribune that focuses on an individual, group or agency who could use a helping hand during the holiday season. Once that need is filled, donations may be distributed to others in need. Escaping domestic violence and sex abuse, this family who sought shelter in a Medford motel is in survival mode. Housing assistance would be a dream come true for the single mother of four who is fighting mightily to make ends meet while ensuring her kids’ safety. Although they chose a temporary residence rather than stay in their former home, this family strives for normalcy by maintaining ties to school and community. The mother, 35, drives the kids across town to school every day, which consumes a lot of fuel and time away from her workday. Gas cards would help tremendously, as would the gift of new tires for this family’s vehicle. Gift cards for groceries would purchase a festive meal for this family and foodstuffs in the coming year. Specifying only necessities on her household’s holiday wish list, the mother yearns to share some of the season’s magic with her children, who recently disclosed that a trusted adult sexually abused them. The 4-, 7-, and 8-year-old sisters enjoy music, movies, arts and crafts and all things “girly.” Wearing sizes 4T, 6X and 8, respectively, they all need warm clothing, including coats, hats and gloves. Their 9-year-old brother loves sports, music and video games. The kids would delight in active, outdoor playthings, such as scooters with helmets. The Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County is serving this family with its multi-disciplinary, holistic approach to investigation, intervention and prosecution of child abuse cases. The organization provides forensic interviews, medical evaluation, treatment and diagnosis of child abuse, as well as therapy. To help: Call CAC’s Ginny Sagal, 541-734-5437, or email [email protected] or [email protected].