My Story: Carmenseda

ANGEL TREE OPPORTUNITIES

My grandchildren have been receiving Angel Tree^® Christmas gifts from their mother for about four years.

The first year, my granddaughter received a volleyball. The boys each received their own footballs and basketballs. They thought those gifts were just the coolest.

I picked up their gifts from a local church and put them under the tree. The kids knew that those gifts came from their mommy. The gifts helped them feel closer to her. They felt that their mom must be something great if she was able to send Christmas presents.

My grandkids have also been to an Angel Tree sports camp and two STEM camps. They really loved these events. At the STEM camp, they made lotion and played with electronics. My oldest grandchild was 14 the first time we went to a STEM camp. She’s really into self-care, so she liked the idea of being able to make her own body butter and lotion.

Next year, the kids will be able to go to the Angel Tree summer camp. When I showed them the brochures with the horseback riding and everything, they were really excited about it.

‘BUT GOD’

My main challenge in caring for my grandchildren has been my financial situation. I do have a good circle of friends who give me clothes from their grandchildren. I keep telling myself I need to get a part-time job. But if I got a part-time job, I wouldn’t want them out here raising themselves.

That’s the biggest challenge. But God has provided. He has definitely provided. The church where I picked up my grandchildren’s Angel Tree gifts invited us to join them on Sundays, but we have a small home church. We’re not a rich and big church; we don’t even have a choir. But I like it small like this, because I feel they know me. They know my grandkids.

The Angel Tree church provided us with some gift cards. They also invited the kids to their activities so I could have a little time to myself. I connect with that church whenever they have an event or activity, so my grandkids can join them.

I wish I could tell the people who donate to Angel Tree to keep giving, because it does make a difference. I have heard people say, "Oh, I don’t want to donate to this or that. I don't know where the money is going.” But with Angel Tree, each donation definitely goes to the children. It supports the families in need. It helps them send their kids to summer camp. It provides Christmas gifts and other resources for a child with an incarcerated parent. Angel Tree can bless a family in so many ways.

FINDING CONNECTION

Angel Tree has also enabled me to be part of Prison Fellowship’s online support group for people raising children with an incarcerated parent. I’ve been attending every Thursday since last year.

Before I joined, I thought, “Oh, a support group isn’t going to help me.” But going to this support group has helped me a great deal. I can’t even explain it in words. Just having consistent support from different women is such an encouragement.

When my mother recently passed away, I told my group that I wouldn’t have time to join the next meeting. But then I realized I couldn’t not go. There is such an outpouring of love and support in this group; it’s like a sisterhood. We pray for one another. We cry together. And we help one another navigate caring for our kids.

The compassion of that sisterhood gives me strength for the day. So, after some thought, I knew I couldn’t take a week off. I was like, “Yeah, I need to go.”

I want anyone who is raising children with a parent in prison to know that Prison Fellowship’s support groups help in so many ways. Once you join, you’re going to want to keep coming. My group is more than just an outlet to talk to somebody. It has helped me mentally and spiritually. It gives me hope to hear other people’s stories. It helps me to know that I’m never alone.