A refugee family in our community is facing unimaginable hardship—and they need our help. A young father, already burdened by grief, is now raising five children (one in the army) alone after losing his wife to cancer. His heart breaks every day, but the hardest part? When his 4-year-old asks, “Where is mom?”

This father works maintaining golf courses, but with the winter months cutting his hours and his family living below 300% of the federal poverty line, they are barely surviving. To make matters worse, the family recently finished paying off medical bills from a surgery he needed after a car accident five years ago—an accident that left him with physical limitations and made providing for his family even harder. The kids lost in a world of pain they don’t fully understand.

The kids haven’t been to the pediatrician since their mother passed away last Febrary. The father, struggling with limited English and overwhelmed by his grief and responsibilities, simply didn’t know where to turn for help or how to navigate the system. He never reached out for support because he didn’t know how, or perhaps didn’t want to burden anyone. But they’ve been silently suffering, doing the best they can without the care they so desperately need.

That is story shared by the WAVES Executive Director, Lily Chen, during a recent encounter with the father Jan 10. The photo below shows that moment, where we began to make a difference. Since then, working with Karen Community Farm at Oaky Grove, Lily has worked tirelessly to find the family medical care, including pediatricians and primary care providers who accept Medicaid. We’ve secured child care for their youngest, and on January 23, Htoo Saw Yae, the assistant manager of the Karen Farm, accompanied the family to their first pediatrician appointment—an important step toward getting the children the care they so desperately need.

But the road ahead is long. This family has a mountain to climb, and they can’t do it alone. They need us now.

That’s why we’re asking for your help. We are launching a funding page on Waves’ website to raise critical funds for this family’s immediate needs: paying off funeral expenses,  medical bills, basic living expenses, and the support to help them heal and rebuild their lives. Every penny will go directly to the Karen Community Organization, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that has been a lifeline for this family and many others. Learn more here: Karen Community Farm at Oaky Grove

We know that times are tough for many, but imagine what a small contribution can do. Imagine the impact of a community coming together—this Lunar New Year, let’s show the power of kindness, renewal, and action.

Here’s how you can help:

Donate: Every dollar will go directly to this family’s urgent needs.

Share: Spread the word. The more people who know, the more we can do.

At WAVES, we don’t just talk about making a difference—we make it happen. And we need YOU to join us in this fight. Together, we can change lives. Together, we can bring hope.

Let’s make this Lunar New Year about more than just new beginnings—let’s make it a time for tangible action, for a family who needs us.

Donate now and share hope with a family that needs it most.

Other Ways to Donate

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