Hi everyone,

We’re reaching out with heavy hearts and a lot of hope. We recently bought our first home here in Ruidoso, NM, taking a huge leap of faith to create a better life for our family — especially for our 2-year-old nephew, who we’re raising in a multigenerational household filled with love and care.

Unfortunately, our back house — the only space currently set up for cooking — has suffered severe damage due to recent storms and hail. The roof was already leaking, but the most recent weather pushed it past the point of manageable. The moisture has now caused visible mold, and it’s a health risk, especially with a small child in the home.

We’ve already invested everything we could into essential repairs, including major electrical work in both the main and back house. We were only recently able to install an electric stove in the back unit — the only part of the property that could handle the load safely due to its proximity to a subpanel. Cooking inside the main house simply isn’t possible.

Now, we need urgent help to make the back house safe and usable again.

We have a contractor generously willing to donate some of the labor if we can provide the materials. Our estimated costs are:

$800 for roofing materials

$2,000 for labor (at a significantly reduced rate)

We’ve tried local assistance programs and attempted to take out a loan, but nothing has come through. I’ve recently been laid off and am doing everything I can to find work — in my field or otherwise — while using my own time and energy to make repairs where I can. My wife just started a new job, and we’re grateful for that stability beginning to take shape. My sister-in-law is also doing what she can, but as a single mother, her paycheck can only stretch so far.

We’re also falling behind on utility and insurance payments, and we’re actively working with those companies to avoid further setbacks. This roof, though, can’t wait — we need to act now to prevent further mold growth and damage, and to ensure our toddler isn’t exposed to an unsafe living environment.

We moved here from California after escaping a toxic living situation in an apartment infested with roaches and mice. This home was our fresh start — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to raise a child in a safe, clean, and stable environment. We are fighting every day to hold onto it.

We’re doing our best — but right now, we need help. Whether it’s $5, $50, or simply sharing this post, it would mean the world to our family. Thank you for reading, for caring, and for standing with us.

With deep gratitude,

Benjamín & Family