Hi, my name is Heather, and I have 6 humans and 11 animals living under my roof. Before October 1, 2025, I was able to care for all of my family. After October 1, things started unraveling fast. My niece, her husband, and two kids moved in with me so that my niece could go back to school and change her life, and her family's life, by getting a degree so that they could rise above the poverty line. My nephew is physically unable to work. There are only two adults viable for work at this time, and that is me and my husband. Unfortunately, the Friday before October 1, his company let him go for "lack of work".

The devastation and fear for the future is almost too much to bear. I have been donating plasma and applying for jobs daily. The thing is, I do not want another job. I love serving my country in the best way that I know how. Add on top of that the 2? 3? hundred THOUSAND other people just like me, looking for a job. Companies know this, so now I have noticed a nose-dive in what they are willing to pay.

It is all a clusterfork, and I just want it all to end. I am so alone and I am reaching out because I need help. We need help. I want this more for my family than for me.

Anything helps, and matters.

I am not special, they all need help, but in my little corner of the world, I am losing my footing and I have no safety net.