On November 29th at around 3:00 PM, 1520 Sheridan Ave a fire broke out in our building in the Bronx. The fire started on our floor, in the apartment directly across from ours. Although we were incredibly fortunate not to lose any material belongings, the entire floor was compromised.

Our home is now filled with smoke contamination, heavy odors, and possible asbestos exposure, making it unsafe to breathe and to live in. The city has not evacuated us from the building yet, but we don’t know if or when that might change. What we do know is that our health is already at risk, and we need to act quickly.

During the fire response, the firefighters had to break down our door to control the situation. Our apartment door no longer has a secure lock. We improvised a temporary solution, but we do not feel safe. This has also affected our routine and our ability to leave the apartment, as we are constantly worried about our home’s security.

Because this was an unexpected emergency, we were not financially prepared to move. We are starting this GoFundMe to help us relocate to a safe home as soon as possible. Over the past few days, we have researched apartments and moving costs, and we put together a detailed list of what we need to secure a new place:

What the Funds Will Cover

Three months’ rent to secure a new apartment: $6,000

Moving supplies and people to help us move: $2,000

Transportation, van rental, and additional unforeseen costs: $2,000

Total needed: $10,000

We are asking for your support so we can leave this unsafe environment and find a clean, secure place to live. Any contribution "big or small" helps us take the next step toward safety and stability.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for reading, sharing, and supporting us during this emergency.

Mario, Audry and Naila