Her name is Nevaeh – “Heaven spelled backward” – and though she’s been through hell, she is one of the smiliest 7-year-olds you’ll ever meet. We met Nevaeh Harm earlier this week at Southwest Youth and Family Services‘ headquarters in North Delridge earlier this week, a place where she and her mom Thyda Phan spend a lot of time. They are among the survivors of the September shootings in West Seattle in which Thyda’s mother shot and killed three Phan/Harm family members – Thyda’s husband and two teenage daughters – and herself. Thyda is the only one to have survived gunshot wounds; Nevaeh was shot at, as was her older brother Kevin, but they managed to escape with no physical injuries. Cara Kroenke at SWYFS has been helping the survivors find new places to live, and new belongings to replace what they lost in the destructive rampage – or never had at all. In our photo, Nevaeh was trying on a helmet to use with one of the bicycles donated to SWYFS by Nucor (here’s our story on that). Cara was awaiting results of an inspection for the White Center rental house found for the family, near Nevaeh’s elementary school. And for those who have asked for an update on what they still need from this list we published a week and a half ago, Cara talked with us – that info’s after the jump:
Cara says a few of the items on the list had come in as of the start of this week, and they are so grateful for any and all help. Thyda was especially impressed with the plants that had been donated – as we sat in Cara’s office, which is the hub for a variety of donation coordination on behalf of many helpful groups and individuals as well as many beneficiaries, Thyda admired a jade plant waiting on a desk for its future place in the family’s new home.
The items they still need include a vacuum cleaner, VD player, microwave, phone (for a land line), coffee table, dining-room chairs, and gift cards they can use to buy food at Albertson’s, since that’s the grocery store closest to where they will be living. “And a picture frame for me and Santa,” Nevaeh said shyly – she was recently photographed with the guy in the red-and-white suit. And for her brother Kevin – a coat, men’s large size. (From the original list, besides the plants, they did get a rug, and Cara stressed again how they appreciate everything.)
Though the family’s not ready to take one in right now, Nevaeh also thought a pet might be nice in the future. Perhaps inspired by the rain that’s been falling most days recently, she suggested a duck.
If you can help with anything on the list, bring it to SWYFS at 4555 Delridge Way (map) or contact Cara at ckroenke@swyfs.org. She says donations are all tax-deductible. PS – For the commenter who asked “what kind of XBOX games?” regarding that request in the last story – XBOX 360.
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