Adopt a Family is a program through Mesa County Workforce Center that aims to help families who are struggling financially and may not be able to put gifts under the tree or have a holiday that they may have hoped for. 

In Grand Junction, the poverty rate is approximately 16 percent, according to Data USA. This means that 23,200 of the 145,000 people residing in Grand Junction are considered to be below the poverty line. This number is higher than the national average, which, according to Census Bureau is around 13.4 percent.

For these families who could be struggling to simply pay rent, Christmas is a lot less whimsical and a whole lot more worrisome. While most families get excited around this time of year, many financially unstable families dread the holidays, as putting gifts under the tree can be a struggle.

“Adopt a Family gives local families a sense of hope during the holiday season through generous supporters who provide food, toys, clothing and other items that meet specific needs,” Emily Gray, a CMU student who coordinates on behalf of Colorado Mesa University (CMU) said. 

An interest email was sent on Oct. 29 to all CMU staff and faculty explaining the program and encouraging them to sponsor a family. The deadline to ‘adopt a family’ was Nov. 8.

“Once I received the final number of families that CMU is sponsoring, I sent it to Mesa County Workforce Center. This year we have sponsored 33 families, which is two more than last year,” Gray said. 

After Gray receives the number of families that CMU will sponsor, she then finds each family’s specific “wish list” for gifts that are of interest to their children. 

“Once I received the list of families with their “wish lists” I delegated the families among the clubs, departments, and organizations that have decided to sponsor a family. On Dec. 6, Student Ambassador Leads will be in [University Center (UC)] 221 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the clubs, departments and organizations to bring the gifts that they have purchased the meet the family’s needs. Student Ambassador Leads will collect the gifts, organize them and wrap them. The following day, Dec. 7, families will come to the UC ballroom to collect their gifts,” Gray said.

Despite the higher average poverty rates in Grand Junction, Adopt a Family looks to alleviate the burden that the holiday season can be for families who are struggling financially.

“Adopt a Family is so much more than an opportunity to volunteer, give, and serve our community. I cannot express how rewarding it is to see how emotional families get when they see a pile of gifts and items with their name on it. It is such a special moment to share with a family. I am blown away by the generosity of this university, and CMU’s heart to serve the Grand Valley,” Gray said.