Hi! I'm hosting this campaign for a friend of mine in Minneapolis, MN who is going through a tough time and in a homeless situation. Asking for help isn't easy for her. She shares her story below.

She has already taken all the right steps-making calls, filling out forms, attending meetings, and being placed on waitlists. She's been in temporary housing through a program that ends soon, and dealing with car troubles that are affecting her ability to work and find more stable housing. Even small donations can add up to make big difference in helping her get back on her feet.

Donations will be used for: Vehicle Repairs, Gas to work, Finding temporary housing

Her Story:

Hi, my Name is Tabitha.

My youngest daughter lives with severe mental health issues. So, in February of 2023, I made the decision to move to Minneapolis, MN to be closer to my oldest daughter while continuing to get the mental health support my youngest needs. Trying to make ends meet and still be there for her when she needed me was a lot for one person and a very small support system. I had never dealt with mental health like her situation before.

As a child I was always told, get over it, you’re fine. I learned at a very young age to burry my issues and those piled up. Soon, my mental health deteriorated while daughter’s continues to struggle.

In June of 2023, we became homeless. County services had long wait times, forcing us to bounce from place to place, hotel to hotel, until August, when I lost my job. I decided to ask my oldest daughter, now 22, if she would take in her sister, now 14. The initial ask was until I could get back on my feet - maybe a few months. However, here we are a year later and things have not improved. I’m still homeless.

I have applied for every service or type of help I can find that I might be approved for just to get back on my feet. Sadly, I found out very quickly that such programs, assistance, and services have a year or longer waitlists. Also, I’ve been applying to jobs but haven’t had much luck. More recently, I’ve been driving for DoorDash and Walmart Spark. But I’ve had my issues with my car’s engine on and off for the past five months. I slept in my car from August 2023 to May 2024.

After sleeping in my car from august of last year until May, my name finally came up for a ninety day shelter hotel program. That stay is coming to a close on August 21, 2024. Unfortunately, I don’t have the $446 a week to stay and my only other option is to return to sleeping in my car as shelters are still full.

You may know me, you may not. But you know my story. You know the feeling, the want, the desire to be normal, to live normal. I am no different, because, just like you, or anyone else, I want to get back on my feet and live a normal life. There is a spark of hope deep within my heart, I haven’t given up. All I need is a bit of your support, kindness, and the opportunity to live a normal life once again.