Assist our family with securing transportation

Hi, I’m not sure where to start. My name is Charlene and my sister, Melissa, is a recovering addict. Those that know me know the struggles I have faced dealing with my sister and her choices especially when it comes to her boys; Liam, Nash, and Ledger.

In July 2024, my sister finally hit rock bottom. She had no place to live, no job, and no vehicle. She made bad choices and ended up in jail. And of course, my heart wasn’t able to watch my nephews go to foster care so they came to live with me and my family. After being released from jail my sister started classes at a rehab facility, while conducting visits with her boys, getting a job, and drug testing weekly. At this point she still didn’t have a place to live so she started saying in a motel near her work and the drug testing facility. She saved as much money as she could and bought a vehicle which she planned to use to obtain a better paying job.

This is where things went wrong. Three days after buying the vehicle the starter went out. She was able to scrape some money up and replace it. However, 2 days later it started making a terrible knocking noise which ended up being the timing chain. Needless to say she is feeling defeated. It will cost roughly $3,500 to get the parts and labor for the vehicle.

Wednesday my sister and her boys were accepted to the new Women and Children’s shelter in Evansville. The boys won’t move in right away, but will be doing overnight visits 2-3 times a week. It is up to us (me and my sister) to transport the boys back and forth between my house and the shelter. It doesn’t seem like much but getting a Lyft 2-3 a week adds up. And will, in turn, affect how much she can save to get her car fixed.

So, I’m asking for help. I’m not one that likes to ask for help, but it’s hard to see an end in sight. This entire situation is my sister’s fault and there are times I don’t think she deserves help at all. But she is clean, she is trying, and she wants to do better for her and her boys. She hasn’t missed a drug screen or visit with her boys since getting out of jail, in July. She has completed her rehab classes and continues to work.

If you feel like helping, I am trying to raise money to get her car repaired or find a her a replacement car. This would enable her to find a better paying job that isn’t just in walking distance and will allow her to transport the boys back and forth to overnight visits.

If you don’t feel like helping, part of me can’t blame you, but please keep your comments to yourself. We (my family and sister) are doing everything we can to ensure that the boys get their mom back so they can go on to live a healthy life as a family.

Thank you all.