Everyone meet this lovely lady and friend of mine named Tonya. Over the past five months, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know Tonya and hear her story. While my job inside Walmart is what brought our paths together, the circumstances behind the crossing of our paths are heartbreaking.
Tonya was married for 30 years and the passing of her husband in 2017 has resulted in her life changing dramatically. He was the sole provider throughout the duration of their marriage. She does not have any children, therefore she does not have family or a village to provide her with the help that she desperately needs. It is my goal to create a village for Tonya. Despite receiving disability and Social Security income, it simply isn’t enough to provide stable housing.
Over the years, Tonya has experienced homelessness multiple times. Today, she is once again without a place to call home. She has been sleeping wherever she can find shelter. Her current sleeping arrangements consist of finding an unlocked storage closet at a vacant apartment unit, sleeping on hard concrete, plugging in her pre-paid phone using the outlet nearby, and setting an alarm at 6 am each morning so that she can leave the unit before maintenance arrives. Her days consist of trying to stay safe and out of sight while carrying the weight of circumstances no one should have to face alone.
My mom and I have done what we can by providing blankets, clothing, food, water, hygiene products, and other necessities, but the reality is that she needs more help than we can provide on our own. I need the help of my community, family, friends, and supporters to raise enough money to provide her with a motel room that can be paid for by the day.
That is why I created this fundraiser with her permission and faith. She even gave me a cute little smiling selfie Every dollar donated goes directly toward helping her secure safe temporary housing, a warm bed, and hopefully a path toward more permanent stability. The more money that is donated, the more nights she is off the streets, in a cozy bed, and maybe even enough to get her a trailer rental that is forgiving of her prior evictions.
As a Christian, I believe God often places people in our lives for a reason. I am far from perfect, but when I feel Him placing something on my heart, I try my best to listen. Tonya’s situation is one of those moments. I feel a pull in my heart to give an act of kindness, and when God places that on me, I do whatever it takes to make sure that the task he is asking of me is completed.
Matthew 25:35-40
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in…”
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
If you feel led to help, even a donation of $5 can make a meaningful difference. If you can’t donate, that is absolutely okay and simply sharing this and spreading the word will help reach more people.
Most importantly, please keep Tonya in your prayers.
Thank you for taking the time to read her story and for helping remind someone that they are not forgotten