Last year, we had the opportunity to support women who were caught in the middle of the deportation process and, in some cases, were wrongfully separated from their children.

One story that has stayed with me is about a young woman who made the incredibly difficult decision to escape an abusive relationship. She was trying to protect herself and create a safer life, but there was a heartbreaking reality she had to face: she had to leave her son behind.

And if you’ve ever been in an abusive situation, you know it’s never as simple as just “leaving.”

Sometimes, an abuser will use a child as a way to control, threaten, or manipulate the person trying to get away. The child becomes part of the cycle of fear, even though they did absolutely nothing wrong.

I know this personally because I experienced it myself. (MsVickki)

That’s why this work means so much to me. It’s not just about raising money or checking a box. It’s about understanding that behind every statistic is a real person, a real family, and a story that deserves to be heard.

Thankfully, this young woman’s story didn’t end there. She was eventually reunited with her son. ❤️

That reunion is exactly why we keep showing up.

Through our work with Long Beach Gives, we’ve continued to grow the amount of funds we raise each year since we first became involved. And honestly, seeing that growth has been incredible.

Every year, more people are learning about these stories. More people are choosing to help. And more resources are reaching women and families who are navigating situations that most of us can’t even imagine.

We may not be able to fix everything overnight, but we can help make sure people don’t have to face these moments alone.

Because sometimes, support can be the difference between feeling completely stuck and finally seeing a way forward.

And sometimes, getting a mother back to her child is everything.