On April 30, at 3:30 AM, Courtney, Jermaine, and their 11-month-old daughter June woke to a nightmare. Without warning, their ceiling collapsed, drenching their bed in freezing water and debris. June was struck by falling plaster, leaving a scratch on her forehead and ear. The family scrambled to protect their baby and dogs as water gushed from multiple points in the ceiling, flooding their home and destroying nearly everything they owned.

They reached out for help—but their landlords abandoned them.

Despite frantic calls to the property manager and the fire department, no one came to help for hours.

The unit was declared uninhabitable due to electrical hazards and structural damage, yet the landlords refused to provide adequate temporary housing and told them to “contact insurance.”

Now, they’re facing impossible choices.

Insurance funds are delayed, and their emergency savings are gone after days in hotels/Airbnbs (with costly pet fees), food and storage fees. They are now forced to try to find new permanent housing as quickly as possible and come up with first and last months rent.

Jermaine is a local business owner in Burlington. Courtney is still on maternity leave, so her income is reduced. She is a new mom and doing her best to handle this challenge during post-partum.

Sentimental losses like Courtney’s great-grandmother’s antique furniture and June’s first toys are irreplaceable.

Courtney and Jermaine are loving and kind people, and it hurts seeing them face this unprecedented situation. They are under significant stress so as a friend I'm putting this together to help take the load off—they urgently need $9,000 to secure a safe future.

Why $9,000?

Every dollar will go directly to:

$5,000: First and last month’s rent for a safe, stable home (average rent in their area + pet-friendly fees).

$2,000: Temporary housing and storage (hotels, Airbnb, replacing baby essentials).

$1,200: Moving costs (truck rental, packing supplies, utility deposits).

$800: Replacing critical items destroyed in the flood (crib, bed, clothing, dog supplies, electronics).

How You Can Help

Donate: Even $5 helps them get closer to safety.

Share: Post this campaign on social media, group chats, or community boards.

Advocate: Tag local news or tenant rights groups to hold the landlords accountable.

A Message from Courtney & Jermaine

“Dear friends, family, and kind-hearted supporters,

My name is Courtney Parsons, and I’m writing on behalf of my husband Jermaine and our baby girl, June, who is turning one this month. What should be a time of joy and celebration has instead become a time of heartbreak and uncertainty.

We’ve recently been displaced from our home after a devastating flood destroyed much of what we owned. In a matter of moments, our home and safe space was taken from us. As I prepare to return to work after maternity leave, I had hoped to be planning a meaningful celebration for June’s first birthday. Instead, we’re focused on navigating this unexpected crisis and trying to rebuild some sense of stability for our family.

We’re grateful beyond words that we’re safe, and that June continues to start each day with her cheeky smile. Still, the road ahead is overwhelming. With the support of family and friends, we’re staying hopeful—but we could use a helping hand as we begin the process of recovery.

Any support you can offer means the world to us. Your kindness will help us find temporary housing for us and our two fur babies, replace essentials for our daughter, and begin to put our lives back together.

Thank you for being part of our village. Your love and generosity remind us we’re not alone.

With gratitude always,

Courtney, Jermaine & Baby June”

Updates & Transparency

No family should have to beg for basic safety after landlords ignore their cries for help. Let’s give Courtney, Jermaine, and June the fresh start they need. Please donate, share, or pray—every bit matters.