I'm facing homelessness after I lost my job, I’m asking for immediate help to secure a safe place for me and my son.

I’m Sean. A dad from Chicago trying to stay strong through one of the hardest times of my life. I recently lost my job and am now facing homelessness, after already living check to check just to afford a small room. What I need most is stable housing so my son has a safe place to visit his dad, and so I can focus on getting back to work and providing for him. Your support — whether through donations, resources, or encouragement — means everything right now.

I don’t always know where to start when it comes to telling my story.

I grew up in Chicago. Raised by my great-grandmother.

No father. No mother. No real family security.

When you don’t have that, you learn how to survive on your own. I’m carrying that weight.

Right now, I’m facing one of the hardest moments yet. I was working check to check, just barely affording a $150/week room. Then I lost my job because of health issues. That loss left me in a place I never wanted to be: without income, without housing, and trying to figure out how to not end up on the street.

My biggest motivation is my son. I want him to have a safe place to come see his dad. I want to support him, keep paying child support, and show him that no matter how many setbacks come, we don’t give up.

The truth is, minimum wage jobs don’t cover the cost of living. You can work full-time and still not be able to afford stable housing or save for emergencies. That’s where I’ve been stuck. For every one step forward, it can feel like two steps back. On top of that, I carry the impact of generational trauma and the challenges that come with being a Black man navigating a world that too often seems designed for me to fail.

I’ve been told it takes a village. Some close friends — people I’ve known through organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters — encouraged me to try this, to share my story here. They know me, they believe in me, and they reminded me that asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re willing to keep going.

What I need now is support to secure a small studio apartment, so I can have a stable foundation while I get back on my feet, find steady work, and continue providing for my son.

I’m a humble man, and I’m not too proud to accept help or other resources. I’m grateful for anything — generosity, connections, advice, or encouragement. It all makes a difference.

Thank you for being part of the village with me in this chapter of my life.

With gratitude,

Sean