My name is Lily, and I’m a mom to two young boys. We moved into a duplex owned by a friend because we had nowhere else to go, even though the house wasn’t really livable. There was no water, the septic system was broken, and there was a cockroach infestation, but having a roof over our heads felt better than being out on the street. I’ve been paying rent and the electric bill to my original landlord, but we never had a written lease. We did fall about a month behind on rent, but only because we had to make serious repairs just to get by.

On November 20th, I found a three-day notice on our door from someone I’d never heard of, demanding payment or for us to vacate. I tried to reach out and asked for proof of ownership, but no one would talk to me or provide any paperwork. Then, on December 3rd, I was served with an eviction summons. I responded right away, but just a few days later, a police officer and the electric company showed up at my house. They told me someone had hooked up our electric illegally without my knowledge. When they opened the meter box, it smelled like burning rubber and was close to catching fire. Now, our power is shut off, and because we have well water, we don’t have water either. The officer advised me to get legal help and hire an electrician, but I don’t have the money for either.

I work at Circle K and I pick up as many shifts as I can, but even working doesn’t come close to covering emergency expenses like this all at once. I’m doing everything I can on my end — this is just a moment where I need help bridging the gap.

I’m doing everything I can to keep my boys safe, but I’m out of options. The funds from this fundraiser will go toward legal help, hiring an electrician to repair the meter box, and, if that doesn’t work, finding safe housing for my kids. Giving my boys the best Christmas—a nice and safe Christmas—is all I wish for this year. If anyone decides to help us, we would be so grateful with all our hearts. Even a prayer would mean the world to us.

my immediate goal is 4000 to secure a new house to rent.