Leileen was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 2 and spent much of her childhood in and out of chemotherapy. Her grandmother, Regina, never left her side, supporting her through nearly a decade of treatments. When Leileen went into remission, Regina brought her home to Anaheim, but soon after, they found themselves homeless due to a family separation. Regina worked as a bus driver during the pandemic, but they struggled to find stable housing. A friend in social services connected them to the Illumination Foundation, and they moved into Plumeria House, a shelter designed for families with children facing chronic illness or physical disabilities. Through Illumination Foundation’s support, including financial literacy and therapy, Regina and Leileen are now on the path to permanent housing. Regina is grateful for the foundation’s help, saying, “I know this is just my stepping stone.”
