Assistance for an Amazing Lady

If you are someone who has ever received kindness during challenging times, then I urge you to please read on....

 

I am sharing this story about someone close to my heart, "Grace." I have chosen to conceal her identity to protect her dignity. She did not and would never ask me to start this fundraiser… but I know there is so much good in the world, and I am hopeful that this message reaches anyone who feels inclined to help others through a dark time.

 


I will start by saying, Grace is someone who molded me into who I am today and taught me how to be an independent, confident, self-respecting female. She is a mother (and now grandmother) who loves her family with everything she is. Since I was a pre-teen, I have watched her tirelessly do whatever it takes to provide for her family and keep them together despite many hardships. I’ve watched her work numerous jobs at once and go without to provide for others. She has been a rock for her nieces, nephews, stepchildren, siblings, parents, and friends. Personally, this woman helped me during some of the most challenging times of my life. She was someone I turned to when I was a young teenage mother. She provided guidance, a job, a car, and even child care many times when I couldn’t afford it. She even offered her home to my daughter and me as a safe haven when I was in a very abusive relationship and feared for my and my daughter’s safety. 



But “Grace” has now, unfortunately, landed in a tough spot. Just weeks ago, after a long fight, she gained custody of two of her grandchildren after they were placed in foster care. Shortly after, she was forced out of her rental house due to a family feud over ownership between her landlords. She has now been in and out of hotels with her children and her two young granddaughters. She had a promising job lined up to start recently, but without childcare, she had to back out of the position once she was awarded custody of the grandchildren. Her only source of income at the moment is that of her barely legal son who is paid biweekly an amount of about $1000, $8 a day from the state for “child support” on behalf of her granddaughters’ incarcerated father, and sporadic help from her ex husband for their only child who is still a minor. To top it off, Grace’s son was in a wreck in the family vehicle, and it was totaled with only liability insurance coverage, leaving them without a car. 



 

The biggest problem at the moment is that the hotel charges are draining her and her son. In order to keep a roof over their head for $60 a day/night, she is unable to climb out of this hole. She is doing all she can to keep the children fed at this rate. But to risk them being taken away from her again is something that would happen only over her dead body. 
It is so hard to see her in this spot when I know her pride, self-respect, and the fight she has in her. For most of her life, Grace was a support system for others and had a support system to fall back on… but sadly, through deaths, illnesses, and other circumstances out of her control, she is essentially on her own now.


I firmly believe that sometimes life knocks us down no matter how hard we try to do the next right thing and that it just takes a village of love and kindness to get us back on our feet. Everyone at some point in their lives has needed and received help from another, and this is that point for her. Nothing matters more to her than being able to keep and provide for her young grandchildren, and Grace is not someone who gives up quickly - or at all. I know with my entire being that once she is stable, she will stop at absolutely nothing to keep that stability steady for her children and grandchildren.



 

What I am asking: 


*If you can donate anything at ALL, your contributions would be appreciated on a level you may never fully understand.


*If you can not donate, please share this link.


*If you would like to contribute in other ways such as groceries, clothing, or any other assistance or advice, please message me directly and I can give you details on what is needed and how to get it to her.

*
If you know of an affordable, dependable used car for sale - please send me a message.

 



As we all know, money makes things move quickly. So every last penny donated to this fundraiser will be put towards finding a home or apartment for the family and covering the deposit/first month’s rent/utilities set up. Which I will see to and handle myself. This is in hopes of giving Grace and her son a “breather” on catching up on their finances and budget - and to give her time to start a job once the younger kids are back in school in a few weeks, etc.

I can’t stress how thankful I am to know I even have a community on social media and elsewhere to share this story with in hopes of getting them on their feet. I know Grace’s story is one of countless others… so I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read, share, and help. We are all in this together to help the next one in line…. Thank you, thank you, thank you.