Cindy's Family Needs Your Support Now

Hi, my name is Cindy, and I’m a mother of two children and the proud caretaker of a service dog. Recently, my family and I have faced an incredibly difficult and traumatic situation that has left us without stable housing and in need of immediate help.

We were staying in a domestic violence shelter, hoping to find refuge and rebuild our lives after escaping an abusive situation. However, instead of receiving support and safety, we were met with discrimination, neglect, and abuse by the very people who were supposed to help us.

Despite my service dog, which is crucial for my medical needs, the shelter staff unjustly kicked us out. They claimed they had somewhere else for us to go, but when we called to inquire about the alternative, we found out it was a walk-in shelter with no food allowed, no accommodations for my health needs, and although bedding was provided by the shelter, we were not allowed to bring our personal items, including the special bedding I need for my health and well-being. These items are crucial for my comfort, especially given my autism, ADHD, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), and other conditions that require careful management.

The staff denied us necessary medical accommodations, which only caused my children and me more trauma. Now, we find ourselves staying in a hotel, trying to keep some sense of normalcy for my children while we await an investigation into the shelter's actions. With no vehicle, I rely on Uber or Lyft to get to appointments, run errands, and do things like laundry, which is a huge strain on our already limited resources.

Any help, no matter how small, will make an incredible difference for me and my children. We are simply trying to find safety, stability, and the chance to heal from everything we’ve been through. Thank you for reading our story and for your kindness and generosity during this heartbreaking time.