Marin Gatherings - The Chef Special

Family #1

In order to cover rent, Claudia, her daughter Andrea and her son Maurizio live with Claudia’s friend Carla and her son. Just about three years ago, Claudia, her husband and children came to the U.S. from Mexico in hopes of better economic opportunities. After the husband became physically and emotionally abusive to the family, they fled their home with the help of the Center for Domestic Peace. They had to leave so quickly they had no time to gather any belongings. After spending some time in a shelter and later the Gilead House, plus Claudia working as a full-time chef in Marin, they were finally able to find the small apartment they’ve been sharing with Carla and her son. Until we had our Gathering, the two families had been living there for a month without furniture, save for a loaned table and chairs.

The family sees their home for the first time since the Gathering!

Family #2

Life in Elda’s home country of Guatemala had been getting steadily more dangerous. Even just in her family’s small neighborhood were the threats of gang violence and child predators. Once Elda’s brother was killed, she knew she had to leave and get her children to safety. Elda, her fiancée, Jorge, and their three young children are currently awaiting their asylum hearing while staying with her sister in her two-bedroom apartment.

Elda and Jorge are both full-time cooks at Marin restaurants and the only furniture they had in their apartment was a blow-up bed, a couple of borrowed mattresses and a few other essentials that had been loaned to them. With your generous donations for this gathering, you helped to change lives!