Help Ashley & William Find a Safe & Accessible Home

Dear Friends, Family, and Kind-Hearted Strangers,

We are reaching out to you with a heartfelt plea to support Ashley and William, a resilient couple who have faced unimaginable challenges. Like many others, Ashley and William lost everything during the COVID-19 pandemic and have been struggling to rebuild their lives ever since.

About Ashley:

Ashley, born and raised in Canada, grew up being a fun loving and enjoy life kind of person, who was quick to love others and be generous when she could. She viewed life as a challenge to be accepted and conquered. Even with her Lupus diagnosis a week before her 14th birthday, she didn't let that stop her from winning numerous awards in music and art. She did 2 years of private college and, being the hard worker that she is, has had experience working in several roles over the years, including: dog groomer, restaurant work, piano teacher, math tutor, babysitting and more. Life definitely got harder for her when she started losing her sight in 2015 and eventually went blind. Opportunities no longer presented themselves to her. But Ashley is a fighter! Ashley never gave up, she made her own way in continuing to teach music and even became certified as a therapist. Unfortunately, life keeps taking more away from her and her work as become limited from health issues and societal judgements about her blindness.

About William: William has a story all his own, born and raised in the Philippines, William is the underdog that everyone has learned to love and cherish. He grew up in a province in the Philippines that didn't receive electricity until he was preteen age. Growing up in this manner taught William to be thankful for even the littlest things in life. He moved to a more populated and updated city and eventually met Ashley in 2019 while she was volunteering (blind and disabled) teaching children and orphans English, Music and other topics at a home for children. William and Ashley married and eventually William moved to Canada to be able to provide a better life for Ashley. But CoVid interfered and they have been trying to rebuild ever since. During CoVid they lost almost everything, but didn't give up hope, but even now their situation keeps getting worse because of the economy and unjust situations that have arose.

Living Conditions: A Daily Struggle

Currently, Ashley and William reside in government housing, which has proven to be a nightmare. Their living conditions are dire:

Sewage Issues: They are exposed to sewage backing up in cut-off pipes in the water heating closet. (Left over from bad renovations BEFORE they moved in).

Mold Problems: Leaking plumbing in the walls has created severe mold issues, posing significant health risks.

Inaccessibility: The apartment building is not accessible, which is a critical concern for Ashley.

Rent Increases: Last year, their rent was raised by over $250 a month, and this year by over $100, with no limit on further increases.

Storage and Appliance Failures: Their storage area often has issues, forcing them to bring stored items into their apartment. Essential appliances, like their freezer and oven, frequently malfunction. During winter, their heating is inconsistent.

Despite making all the proper reports, nothing has been done to address these issues. Their attempts to transfer to another housing unit were met with the possibility of being moved to another non-accessible building with the same maintenance problems.

The Dream: A Safe, Affordable, and Accessible Home

Ashley and William are expecting a baby and are in desperate need of a safe and stable home (they are not concerned about size, just a home that they are not subjected to yearly and unpredictable rent raises). If they can secure a down payment for new housing, they would not only pay less than their current rent but also be able to afford disability needs and health needs for Ashley and baby care for their upcoming addition to the family. They would also be able to afford proper housing maintenance. William works full time and will continue to work full time. William has never applied for any kind of welfare or similar programing in Canada as he's a really strong believer in working hard for your family.

How You Can Help

We are aiming to raise $70,000 (If we could raise more, it would be even better) to help Ashley and William make a fresh start in a home that meets their needs. Your generous contributions will go directly towards:

A down payment for a new, accessible home

If more was raised and exceeded the needed amount for a down payment the remainder would be used for:

Moving expenses

Essential baby care items

Disability accommodations for Ashley

Maintenance and upkeep to ensure a safe living environment

Join Us in Making a Difference

Ashley and William have shown incredible strength and perseverance in the face of adversity. With your help, we can give them the fresh start they deserve, a renewed hope and ensure their new baby grows up in a safe and loving home.

Every donation, no matter the size, brings them one step closer to a brighter future. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Ashley and William

Please share this campaign with your friends, family, and social networks to help us reach our goal.