2025

ADOPT A FAMILY PROGRAM

ADOPT A FAMILY

The Lemon Aide Project’s Adopt A Family Program is a community powered holiday initiative that connects local families facing hardship with caring members of the public who want to help. Each participating family shares a brief overview of their situation along with wish lists for their children. Donors then “adopt” a family and provide gifts, essentials, or support to help make the season brighter. 

This program is rooted in transparency, dignity, and compassion. Families are verified to ensure genuine need, and donors receive a simple, direct way to make a real impact on a local household. Whether it’s toys, warm clothing, gift cards, or basic necessities, every contribution helps a parent breathe easier and gives a child a moment of joy during an otherwise difficult time.


The Lemon Aide Project was built by survivors who know what it feels like to struggle through crisis, and this program reflects our promise that no family should face the holidays alone. Through community generosity, we bring hope, warmth, and relief to families one household at a time.



APPLICATIONS CLOSE DECEMBER 23RD

ALL BUCKETS DUE BY DECEMBER 23RD FOR PARTNERS


ADOPT A FAMILY APPLICATION

HOW IT WORKS


  1. Read the Families Below. Green check indicates ADOPTED. Red check indicates AVAILABLE.
  2. Each family has a short story, clothing sizes, and wish lists.
  3. Choose a Family to Adopt.
  4. Once adopted, we immediately mark them as “ADOPTED” to avoid duplicates.
  5. Give in the Way That Works for You. (Reach out directly or let us do the exchange for you!)
  6. You can purchase items directly, drop them at our secure donation location, or donate funds and we will purchase the items on your behalf. We also encourage Amazon Wishlists so donors can directly send our client their needs to their door!
  7. Full Transparency. (You can track your donation!)
  8. Every family is verified. Every gift is accounted for. Every donation helps a real local family. (Every single family has gone through our vetting process.)


 Jalen (13 years old)


Status:  ADOPTED



Jalen is a bright 13 year old honor roll student whose life changed drastically this past year. She and her grandmother Heather were forced to relocate after difficult family circumstances. Jalen had to leave everything she knew, including her little brother, who now lives full time with his father. Neither parent is involved, and Heather is doing everything she can to provide stability, love, and support.

Jalen is a strong, resilient, loving young girl who deserves a special holiday.


Needs:

Clothing sizes pending, books, cozy items, age-appropriate gifts for a teenage girl, comfort items, self-care items, gift cards, warm clothing.


Aiden (3), Denise (10), and Amberly (13)



Status: ADOPTED


Children:

Aiden, age 3

  • Clothes: 5T
  • Shoes: 11 toddler
  • Loves: Disney Cars, Spider-Man, monster trucks


Denise, age 10

  • Sweaters: Women’s small
  • Shoes: Size 5
  • Loves: Crafts, books, doing her hair


Amberly

  • Pants: Women’s medium
  • Sweater: Women’s medium
  • Loves: Makeup, nails, hair care items



This family is working extremely hard to stay afloat while trying to create a warm holiday season. They came to us with humility and hope, asking only for help making Christmas happen for their children. They are grateful for anything the community can provide.


Melanie & Kylan


Status:

 ADOPTED



County: Sonoma County

Family Size: 2


Melanie is a 43 year old single mother currently battling stage 4 metastatic cancer. In 2021, she survived a major surgery to remove a 3.3-pound adrenal tumor that required doctors to also remove her left adrenal gland and kidney. Two years later, the cancer returned in her lungs and has continued to grow, leaving her extremely fatigued and unable to work consistently.


Melanie is raising her 11 year old son, Kylan, on her own. His father is unhoused and struggling with addiction, and Melanie is doing everything she can to maintain stability for her son while managing her health. She is currently in the Sonoma Works program, but it does not cover rent and basic living expenses, and she is working on applying for back rent assistance.


This family is deeply in need of holiday support and essential items as Melanie continues her cancer treatments.


Needs:

• Holiday gifts for Kylan (wishlist coming soon)

• Clothing, shoes, and essentials

• Groceries & household basics

• Help with stability during treatment




TEARA AND KIDS

ADOPTED


Hello, my name is Teara, and I am a single mother raising four incredible children who are my entire world.


This year has tested us in ways I never imagined. I have done everything I can to keep life steady for my kids, to protect their joy, and to make sure they still feel safe, loved, and hopeful even when things have been hard behind the scenes. Like so many parents, I put them first always. But this holiday season, I am reaching out with humility and hope.


My children are bright, playful, and full of love. They laugh loudly, dream big, and find joy in the smallest moments. All I want is to give them a holiday filled with warmth, comfort, and the magic every child deserves. A moment where they feel seen, supported, and surrounded by kindness.


Whether you give, share, or simply hold us in your heart, please know how deeply grateful we are. Your kindness brings more than gifts. It brings hope, dignity, and the reminder that we are not alone.


From the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping make this season brighter for my children.


With gratitude,

Teara 


Mateo , Santino , and Angelica


Status: ADOPTED



This family has endured an incredibly difficult journey. When Mateo was only 3 months old, he became critically ill and was initially misdiagnosed. Soon after, he went into a life-threatening seizure in the emergency room and had to be airlifted to Children’s Hospital Oakland. Doctors discovered he had GBS meningitis that had already spread rapidly, affecting more than half of his brain. His prognosis was heartbreaking, and his family was told he might never walk, talk, or live a typical life.


Mateo spent five months in the hospital and fought through unimaginable challenges. Today, he is a miracle. He is thriving in TK, growing, laughing, and surpassing every expectation. He is also a loving and gentle big brother to Santino and Angelica, caring for them with incredible tenderness and strength.


Right now, the family is experiencing significant financial hardship. The mother recently lost her job and is waiting for EDD, making it extremely difficult to cover rent, bills, and basic needs. With Angelica’s birthday approaching on December 2nd, providing any form of celebration or stability has become overwhelming.


This family is seeking support through the Adopt-A-Family Program to help bring relief during this challenging time. Any assistance with gifts, essentials, or holiday items would make a meaningful difference as they work to rebuild.



Victoria’s Family


Status: ADOPTED

Victoria is a devoted forty year old mother whose strength and resilience have carried her family through unimaginable hardship. After surviving several years of severe exploitation and daily physical abuse, Victoria entered a year long recovery program in 2022 where she worked tirelessly to rebuild her life and regain custody of her four children. In January 2024, the family was relocated to Marin County where they finally received stable housing and the chance to begin again.


In April 2025, Victoria was unexpectedly hospitalized and diagnosed with acute liver failure. Despite ongoing medical treatments, weekly blood draws, exhaustion, and significant lifestyle changes, she has continued to support her community through remote advocacy work. However, recent countywide budget cuts to human trafficking resources and safety net programs have made it extremely difficult for the family to maintain stability.


Victoria’s greatest worry is being unable to provide for her children during this difficult time. She is doing everything she can to ensure they feel safe, supported, and loved as they continue healing together.


This family is strong, resilient, and deeply deserving of a warm and hopeful holiday season.


Children and Interests


LeiAnna, 17 years old

Likes Hello Kitty, Disney, Juicy Couture


Ja’Tori, 14 years old

Likes doing nails, Tupac, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnie Mouse


Prince, 12 years old

Likes basketball, Steph Curry, Warriors, Nike, Damian Lillard


CyNai, 8 years old

Likes Stitch, Hello Kitty, softball, Disney, Harry Potter


Victoria (Mom)

Enjoys journaling, reading, music, and anything Disney


Needs


Clothing sizes pending

Warm clothing

Books and cozy items

Age appropriate gifts for each child

Comfort items

Self care items

Household and hygiene essentials

Gift cards

Holiday support

Items that help the family regain and maintain stability



Status: ADOPTED


my name is Chloe, and I’m a single mom to my daughter Nevaeh. She’s a funny, energetic 20-month-old who loves being outside, going on walks, and playing at the park—her favorite is the swing. I’m working hard to provide for her as I get back on my feet, and any support this season would mean the world to us.


Family of Three

Local Novato Family

Mother: Kath


This verified family is a local Novato mother, Kath, and her two young children who recently survived an extraordinary and traumatic international abduction. Their situation has been fully reviewed and confirmed through our Lemon Aide Project vetting process. All documentation has been provided and verified. This family is now safely home in Novato and in need of community support.


In early November Kath traveled with her husband and children to Istanbul for what she believed would be a simple ten day family trip. She notified the boys’ schools and prepared for a routine vacation. Several days before their expected return her husband abducted the children and drove them twenty hours across Turkiye to the eastern city of Van near the Iran border.


Kath immediately contacted the United States Consulate in Istanbul and worked closely with local authorities. She appeared in court multiple times and traveled across the country with law enforcement under a judges order to locate and recover her children. She eventually reached the region near Iran where the boys were found and reunited with her. The family then returned to Istanbul so they could safely travel home. They arrived back in Novato on December 1.


Both children rely on established medical and developmental services here in the Bay Area. The six year old lives with Type One diabetes and needs consistent access to medical care and routine management. The two year old receives speech therapy and early childhood support in Marin. Their routines were disrupted and their sense of safety deeply impacted by the experience.


After returning home Kath immediately contacted the District Attorney and completed all necessary protections for herself and her children.


This family is now working toward emotional stability and rebuilding their daily routines. Kath is currently facing significant challenges as a single mother after this trauma and is requesting community support to help meet basic needs for her household.


The most helpful form of assistance at this time is through gift cards which allow Kath to purchase exactly what the children need as they transition back into safe and familiar rhythms.


Most Needed Gift Cards


Target for groceries clothing household items diapers wipes and school supplies

Amazon for educational materials books personal care and essential items

Safeway for groceries and daily essentials

Trader Joe’s for groceries and healthy meals

Gas cards for transportation to school medical appointments and services


Any contribution is appreciated and directly supports this family’s recovery and stability. If you wish to be connected with Kath for direct communication we can arrange that.

 

Dystany and Daughter


STATUS: ADOPTED


Hello my name is dystany and this is my 7 year old beauty. Hard times have fallen upon us and I would forever be grateful if someone could help me make christmas happen this year....




MARIAM AND KIDS


ADOPTED

My name is Marie and I am a single mother raising two beautiful children in Marin. I work full time, but with low wages and the cost of living rising, it has been incredibly hard to stay afloat. Delayed benefits, childcare costs, and unexpected bills set us back, and I have been doing my best to catch up and keep our home stable. I move through each day with faith and hope, trusting that better days are coming for us.


With the holidays here, I am praying for a little help to create some magic for my kids this Christmas. Even a few gifts or support for a warm holiday meal would truly lift their spirits. My children are such loving, bright souls and I want them to feel the light of this season even as we navigate hardship. I am deeply grateful for any support the community feels called to offer. Your generosity becomes part of our healing and reminds me that we are not alone.


Erika & Family


Status: ADOPTED


Erika is a dedicated single mother raising three wonderful children: Dakota (19), Jayden (14), and Kenzlee (4). She works full time teaching neurodiverse students and providing one on one behavioral support at Star Academy in San Rafael. This holiday season, she is hoping for a little help to make things brighter for her kids.


Children & Interests


Dakota (19)

• Studying radiology as a freshman at Santa Barbara Junior College

• Works part-time at The California Pizza Kitchen

• Loves skateboarding, snowboarding, and fashion


Jayden (14)

• Freshman at Redwood High School

• Plays football and basketball

• Talented piano player


Kenzlee (4)

• In Pre-K at Miss Nicky’s Preschool

• Turning five in January

• Loves music, dance, and all things girly


Needs


• Clothing

• Warm clothing and seasonal essentials

• Age-appropriate gifts and toys

• Gift cards for groceries, school supplies, household items

• Anything that brings joy and comfort this holiday season


Wishlist


Amazon Wishlist:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/36SQTNU0DRFCV?ref_=list_d_wl_lfu_nav_1