My name is Jesse Smith. At the beginning of the year, I was hospitalized; my kidneys and liver were on the brink of shutting down. I lost my job because of this. While I was in the hospital, my bills at home were racking up. We fell behind on a couple of months of rent and were paying this back in small increments. The new management of our building is demanding the full amount of past due rent, or we will be facing eviction.

I have a 12-year-old stepson and a two-year-old toddler. I've been able to take care of them until my illness. I've secured a new job that will keep us all afloat, but I won't be able to get paid until the school year begins. I have requested help before, and my beautiful community has helped immensely. I am ashamed to be asking for money again, but at this point, I have no options and no more pride. I wake up every day nearly paralyzed by anxiety and depression, but I get up and do gig work every day to keep my children fed and clothed. I just can't seem to get out of this hole. Anything you give would go directly to keeping a roof over our head and food in our stomachs. Everything helps, even if it's advice, a kind word, or especially sharing this GoFundMe. I love you all very much. -Jesse