Hi, my name is Erika Newsom.

This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do—ask for help. For over 30 years, I’ve dedicated my life to bringing joy, laughter, and wonder to children’s parties and community events. Since 2014, I’ve been running my own business, Erika Newsom Entertainment, where I’ve turned my passion into a livelihood and a way of giving back to the world.

But now, I’m facing the unimaginable.

The recent wildfires in Altadena, Pasadena, Pacific Palisades, and surrounding areas of L.A. destroyed more than homes—they devastated entire communities. Even though I live just outside of Los Angeles County in Rialto, California, most of my clients are from those areas, and as families struggle to rebuild their lives, the demand for family & children's entertainment has now disappeared.

What makes this even harder is how close I am to losing EVERYTHING.

There’s a fragile thread that holds life together—a roof over your head, the security of knowing your bills are paid, the ability to wake up and feel safe. It’s a thread we often take for granted, until the moment it unravels. For me, that unraveling began slowly, with rising prices for food, gas, and rent, and in November and December, my party business, usually a bright spot in my year, was devastated by the struggling economy. These two months are typically a home run for me—the season when families and communities come together to celebrate. In previous years, November alone would bring in consistent income, but this year, my earnings were down by a staggering 60%. December, which is normally my busiest and most profitable month, was even more heartbreaking. In a typical December, I’d make $5,000 to $6,000—enough to cover my bills and give my son and I some breathing room.

But this year? I made a grand total of $240. That’s it. $240 to survive an entire month.

The difference between what should have been and what actually happened is impossible to put into words. The season that usually sustains me through the slow months became the season that left me hanging by a thread, and then suddenly, all at once, the wildfires wiped out my lifeline of both my clients and my income.

It’s a terrifying place to be, standing on the edge of losing everything you’ve worked for, knowing that without help, the world you built could slip away. You wonder how you got here, and if anyone will catch you before you fall.

But here’s what keeps me going: I believe that compassion exists.

That somewhere, someone will see themselves in my story—the single mother striving to provide, the small business owner fighting to keep their dream alive, the person who knows how quickly life can shift from stability to uncertainty. Because the truth is, none of us are as far from the edge as we think.

Maybe you’ve felt it too—that moment when the rug gets pulled out from under you, and you’re left wondering how you’ll make it through. And maybe you remember what it felt like when someone reached out a hand, offering hope when you needed it most. That feeling of gratitude stays with you forever.

Today, I’m reaching out, not just for help, but with hope. Hope that someone like you will see the humanity in my story and choose to give—because you know how much it matters.

As a single mom to my incredible 21-year-old son with Asperger’s, I’ve worked tirelessly to keep us afloat in California’s soaring cost of living. I’ve fought through rising prices for rent, food, gas, and utilities—but since December 2024, my business income has dropped to practically zero.

Now on top of all of this, I’m going through the eviction process.

I lie awake at night, terrified of what will happen if I lose our home. My landlord has been most compassionate, but the strain of my unpaid rent has become too much for him to sustain. I’ve applied for food assistance and healthcare, but there are no emergency funds available to help me pay rent or bills to escape this spiral.

I know I’m not alone in this struggle. Across the country, so many of us are just one or two paychecks away from homelessness. It’s a fragile line that no one thinks they’ll have to cross—until it happens to them.

That’s why I’m reaching out to you for help.

Your donation will:

Help me pay off overdue rent and utility bills, giving my son and I the stability to stay in our home and avoid eviction.

Empower me to market my other art business I’ve been building all year—a business I poured my heart and soul into, but couldn’t launch successfully because of the financial strain I faced during the holidays. The online store is ready, the products are set, and the foundation is solid—I just need the resources to do the marketing to let the world know it exists. Your support will go toward promoting my Etsy shop, website, and Printful store, turning untapped potential into a reliable stream of income for my son and I.

Enable me to shift my face painting and balloon art business to provide my services to children’s hospitals and recovery centers. This will bring joy, comfort, and even therapeutic value to kids who need it most. These children face challenges many of us can’t imagine, and I want to use my talents to brighten their lives during the darkest times. I was in the process of developing this business but can't move forward at this time without any financial resources, your donations will help change this into a reality.

I will also use the funds to pay my past due car payments before they repo my ONLY means of transportation.

This isn’t just about survival. It’s about finding purpose in the midst of hardship. I’ve realized that my skills can go beyond parties and events—they can also bring light and healing to children facing serious health challenges. Studies show that joy and laughter aid in the recovery, and this is where I truly shine: making others smile, even during their darkest moments.

Imagine being a child in a hospital bed, scared, in pain, or far from home. Now picture their face lighting up as a balloon animal comes to life in front of them, or as their favorite superhero is painted on their cheek. That’s the kind of magic I want to create every day.

Your generosity will not only keep my son and I off the streets—it will help us turn this tragedy into an opportunity to bring joy where it’s needed most.

Please, if you can, donate today. Every dollar brings us one step closer to stability, to hope, and to making a difference in the lives of children who need a reason to smile. If you’re unable to contribute financially, please share this story with your network it could make all the difference in the world.

Thank you from the depths of my heart for your kindness, compassion, and support.

With gratitude and hope,

Erika & Christopher