According to the data from 2023, over a quarter of minors in the United States live in households without the presence of either parent, with California having a particularly high rate of over one-third of children living in single-parent households. The lack of close family support presents challenges for the healthy development of these children. Recently, at a community outreach event held in Pomona, Southern California, various community organizations provided care and assistance to these families.
Last Saturday (February 28th), the non-profit organization “A Fatherless Field” organized a neighborhood outreach event in the eastern Los Angeles city of Pomona, giving dozens of enthusiastic small and medium-sized businesses and individuals the opportunity to serve single-parent families in the community. The event attracted thousands of attendees, with multicultural singers taking the stage to showcase their talents, making the event colorful and entertaining.
Michelle Martinez, the person in charge of “A Fatherless Field,” mentioned that the organization brings together city officials, churches, local projects, and other community resources to guide single-parent families towards accessing the assistance they need.
All items at the various booths were provided free of charge. Children attending the event could receive free gifts and participate in games at no cost. Some booths offered information and services for families. Martinez stated, “We are getting to know more families in need and assessing which resources we can ‘connect’ them with.”
She gave examples of families in need of alcohol and drug rehabilitation services, as well as counseling for emotional management, highlighting the significant amount of time and effort required to help these families. Understanding the hardships faced by single-parent households, she emphasized the importance of collaborative volunteer work, bringing various contributions together to create a significant impact, even if each individual’s efforts may seem small.
“A Fatherless Field” has been organizing such charity events for twenty years, with its presence in Southern California for the past three years. The enthusiasm of volunteers has garnered a positive response, leading to an increasing number of individuals, businesses, and organizations participating in the outreach activities.
The local philanthropic organization, WAN YU Foundation, brought hundreds of stylish and free women’s shoes, along with thousands of Mexican-style boxed lunches, drawing long lines at their booth.
One volunteer, Shen Hanna, who has been in the U.S. for over thirty years, recalled feeling like a “stranger, visiting” when she first arrived but now seeing several generations take root, considering the place as home. She expressed her hope for continuous improvement in the community and encouraged everyone to support charitable causes, believing that collective contributions would enhance the community’s well-being.
“Children’s Choice Pediatric Dental Care” from Glendora provided essential services to low-income families holding California Medi-Cal cards. Dr. David, a dentist from the clinic, explained that they offered dental check-ups and free X-ray examinations to children and young adults aged 6 to 21, aiding in the early detection of dental issues such as cavities and periodontal diseases.
The head of WAN YU Foundation, Qin Zhengguo, actively engages in philanthropic work, sometimes attending multiple events in a single day, showcasing extraordinary stamina and enthusiasm. On a Sunday afternoon around 4 p.m., he rushed to Northern California to participate in another event. Each time he participates in a charitable activity or transports supplies, Qin personally handles loading and unloading, aiming to save costs and deliver donated goods to families in need efficiently.
He recounted receiving an urgent request from the event organizers three days ago after the original organization slated to donate food was unable to do so for some reason. Despite only meeting the organizers twice before, Qin believed in the significance of the event in assisting disadvantaged families and took immediate action to help, which surprisingly unfolded smoothly.
At the WAN YU Foundation booth, people continuously selected shoes. Qin Zhengguo remarked, “Many ladies came with their children today, and those items are just what they need. These items will serve them for a long time, and such acts of kindness can have a ripple effect, inspiring them to help others in the future.”