When Maria learned that her daughter could no longer care for her young son due to substance abuse, she made the life-changing decision to step in and adopt her grandson.
Her grandson, Ethan, had already been through more than most children his age. He suffers from PTSD and carries the weight of past trauma, but Maria is determined to provide him with a safe, nurturing environment where he can begin to heal.
Maria reached out to Jewish Family Service during a particularly tight month financially, seeking financial assistance support as she navigated the many new challenges of raising her grandson. With help from JFS, she was able to access the resources they needed to begin building a more stable life together.
She hopes to enroll him in martial arts to help him build confidence and develop tools for self-regulation. Ethan also finds joy in simple pleasures—riding his bike around the neighborhood and spending time with horses, which bring him a sense of calm. With JFS’ support and her unwavering dedication, Maria is creating a better future for Ethan.
So far this year, thanks to the generous support of our community—as well as our corporate and foundation partners—JFS has provided over $91,000 in emergency assistance to families like Maria’s.
