Our Story

Our family, a vibrant mix of cultures, suddenly expanded from five to eight. My three children, Ridley (21), Malick (16), and Devan (5), now share our home with my brother's three children, Sebastian (21), Serafina (18), and Manny (14). My brother committed suicide after a long battle with addiction and mental illness, leaving behind a long line of debtors and broken hearts. We've become a blend of the Brady Bunch and Full House, navigating life on a Roseanne budget.

My brother's kids have endured unimaginable trauma, including abuse, molestation, and neglect at the hands of my brother and his friends (criminal charges are in the works for those who committed such atrocities). Two of the children recently attempted suicide and required psychiatric hospitalization. We are profoundly grateful to the kind nurses at Seattle Children's Hospital for providing a safe space where they felt able to speak the truth, which prompted our urgent and immediate action.

We quickly moved the children from Port Angeles to our home in West Seattle. I am now fiercely advocating for them to receive the comprehensive care they desperately need: medical and mental healthcare (they had none prior), legal justice (I am working on guardianship and protection orders), and school assistance for their special needs (Autism, PTSD, Depression, Anxiety). With no extended family to rely on for support, and due to complications in the system caused by their abusers, the kids currently have no financial support from their Social Security survivor benefits.

These new responsibilities have placed an immense strain on our already minuscule resources. My amazing partner has been a lighthouse in this storm, filling our kitchen with stories and laughter, constantly reminding our beautifully blended family to find their voices in a world where they have been silenced so many times. While I'm drowning in paperwork, I am determined to tell our story and shed light on the dark and scary things that happened in Port Angeles. Suddenly feeding, clothing, and providing essentials for a family of seven on our current income has become incredibly difficult.

Our Request

We are reaching out to our wider community for support during this critical time. As a family, we are working tirelessly to create a secure, safe, and stable environment for our household. We now have many different appointments and unique needs which make public transportation incredibly challenging.

Our goal is to raise $30,000 to put towards a functional vehicle that seats seven and to help cover rent until I am able to locate employment again.

Beyond financial support, we would also be immensely grateful for any services you might offer (for example, haircuts with LGBT-friendly folks, vet visits for their emotional support kitties, or handy household work like fixing a broken sliding door). We also welcome shared experiences or words of wisdom. Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for considering how you can help us embark on this challenging but hopeful next chapter.