My name is Madelyn. I'm a 44-year-old mother of one eight year old boy. Our lease expires on July 15, 2016, and we don't have a place to move to. I have experienced homelessness before, for nearly three full months. In that time, I slept on friend's couches and rang up hotel bills. I also developed stress-induced medical problems. I can’t put myself and my son through that again.
I have a bookkeeping business, but I'm not making enough (yet) to support myself. So, I am not able to qualify for a lease by myself at this time. I also do not have a co-signor. And I do not have a family home that I can return to as I get back on my feet.

I cannot stay in Portland because it’s too wet here and it is causing health issues due to mold. But I can't afford to move elsewhere.

I am accepting help so that we can get a place in Southern California, where I grew up and where I have a support system. Further, the dry climate I grew up in should ameliorate at least some of the health issues that have made it so difficult for me to excel at anything this year.

I will use the money I receive to assist with move-in costs including security deposit, last month's rent, etc. so that I can limit the duration of my homelessness and settle into a place with my son where we both can thrive.

I have spent the last couple of months feeling scared. Knowing that I will be officially homeless a year after having been homeless is frightening. And though you may not think that living in hotels and couch surfing is real homelessness, I beg you to reconsider. Anyone that wonders where they will sleep on a daily basis is homeless. That level of instability and uncertainty makes it difficult, if not impossible to be forward thinking, effective, or optimistic. It takes a lot to pack your things on a daily basis, to be unable to make basic food items for lack of a refrigerator or pantry, or to be able to have quiet, personal space with any regularity.

Please help me establish a home so that my son and I can settle into a stable life. I cannot tell you how much it will mean when we have an address and a home to call ours.