By Liz DePuydt and Gabriella Bradley, Safe Families Monterey Bay, CA Chapter
“Because of Safe Families, I have the confidence to face the future!” – Jian
Here in Monterey Bay, California, we have witnessed the incredible transforming power of Safe Families volunteers stepping up to support their neighbors. This selfless act of love can completely alter a family’s life trajectory when communities come together.
When Jian first called Safe Families, he was at a breaking point. Life’s circumstances left him as an unhoused single father trying to hold down a job while caring for his three-year-old son. He knew he could no longer make ends meet and felt hopeless. Without support, he was alone and had no one to turn to for help in his time of need. Jian shared that he become so desperate to adequately provide for Api that he had even contemplated placing him in foster care. Then, someone told him about Safe Families for Children.
The Litton Family stepped forward to open their hearts and homes to Api. Jian was initially apprehensive since they lived an hour away from his job, and he was worried he would not be able to see his son as often as he desired. So, with the support of his new Host Family and their network, Jian secured a new job in their community, enabling him to be close by.
Api became increasingly comfortable in his new family life, developing a close friendship with Matt and Kaitlin’s two young children. Each Friday, Jian would come over to their home and cook for everyone- he, too, desired to give back and share his hospitality. Jian told us, “Now I feel safe because I have many friends to help me.” Slowly, trust deepened, and family-like relationships were built.
Jian would spend his day off with Api each Wednesday and always looked forward to hearing about Api’s new experiences. Api shared how much he loved attending Monterey Church with his Host Family. By bearing witness to this, Jian began a faith journey as he saw volunteers live out love in radical, disruptive, and intentional ways.
Through his Circle of Support, Jian was meeting almost all his goals for stability! He had a solid job, got his driver’s license, was saving money to rent a place to live, and his son was in a loving school environment. The Litton family even donated their car to him so he could have reliable transportation. However, the extreme housing crisis in our area proved to be a considerable challenge. But, with prayer, persistence, and patience, Jian secured affordable housing!
The story doesn’t end there. A few weeks after moving into the new place with Api, Jian couldn’t sustain 12-hour work days as a full-time single dad. He desperately needed a job to let him work during the open hours of his son’s childcare. Through his supportive network, Family Friends stepped in to help him create a new resume, apply for jobs, and practice for interviews. And, on Dec 23rd, he found out he had got the job, which was a true Christmas miracle! Four Family Friends offered continued support by picking up Api from school since it closed just half an hour before Jian got off work. It was amazing to see the intentional compassion these volunteers put into standing in the gap to be the community this family needed so they could continue to stay together.
Jian and Api continue to do well in their new home and life together, and while they no longer need regular extra help, they stay in a close relationship with their Circle of Support. Two weeks ago, Jian hosted a birthday party for Api’s 4th birthday and invited all the Safe Families volunteers who have supported them. It was a wonderful moment to witness their “extended family” gathered together in celebration.
Api and Jian felt a sense of belonging and knew this love would last a lifetime! Jian shared that he is “so thankful for our (SFFC’s) love for Api and thankful to God for arranging a loving environment for him.” With the support of Safe Families, he now dreams about a beautiful future and plans to one day volunteer to help other vulnerable families who need support!