We Can Help One Family Get Off The Streets☝

This is my friend Michael Herzog. Michael was an Attorney, father to children in college, home owner, vacation home owner, and a husband. He had savings, retirement, and a plan. But what he didn’t plan for was the unexpected hospitalization of his wife, the long road of caregiving, and the trauma associated with the loss of his best friend. His daughter Nicole dropped out of college to caregive for her mother and ultimately for Michael, as he was on the verge of suicide after her passing. After a long and painful road of trying to pull it all back together, Michael and his daughter Nicole found themselves experiencing homelessness. Michael is an avid reader and listener of classical music, and his books are what get him through the long days and even longer nights. It was through those books that I built a friendship with Michael, and today he is family. It took time to earn Michael and Nicole’s trust as the trauma of the streets has taken its toll on their willingness to believe in humanity and trust. Through our relationship and support from many community members, Michael is at a place now where he is studying to take the bar and practice law again, as he has a newfound sense of hope and desires to rebuild his life. He is willing to accept housing, and as a veteran we can get him that housing; but he won’t accept anything until his little girl Nicole is off the streets. The homeless service delivery system works hard to house people experiencing homelessness, but it is not perfect, and after several encounters with this system and many failed hopes, Nicole is untrusting of it’s help. Because I care about Michael and I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to not only live my own homelessness, but to also watch my child struggle, I have committed to house Nicole for 1 year in an apartment of her own. She desires to work, to go back to college, and to be a mother and a wife one day, and I know that her healing cannot begin until she is safe, secure, and off the streets. I am confident that in that one year she can regain her sense of self, sense of worth, and sense of hope. I am also confident that with the commitment of myself and other community members that we can create a community of support for her while she navigates this transition. Today I am asking for support to assist with financial costs associated with housing Nicole. Costs include: Rent Utilities Furniture & Housing Supplies Anyone who donates will receive full transparency from me. I will take out the lease and utilities in my name and assume full financial responsibility. Monthly I will create a ledger with balances and expenses and share it with anyone who has donated. I will also be available to sit and have a cup of coffee with anyone interested in supporting but wants to know more first. Thank you in advance for any support you can provide. We. Can’t save the world, but we can save 1 person and 1 family, the Herzog family ❤️