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I lost it all due to house fire

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Update: 8/22/23
Still praying and hoping to move back into my upstairs apartment while construction/renovations begin, ultimately it is up to my town Westwood once everything is done it passes the inspections. Servpro cleaning company is onsite and started working on both apartments yesterday so that’s a plus. Last I’ve been informed was we would be without a home until Christmas holiday or January. We have been staying at hotels when we can find ones that accept pets… or random friends houses that also accept pets. You truly appreciate how less stress you actually have when you have a consistent place to rest your head. Staying at hotels or Airbnb is expensive among other expenses that I did not plan on as a sole provider for my girls. So to everyone appreciate it all - in a blink of an eye it can be gone (learned the hard way) thanked god we are alive and safe.


Hi my name is Ivana, and up until August 17th of this year - me and my family was living in the Westwood area and getting by as best as we could. Tragically that morning our life changed drastically as a fire broke out in the downstairs apartment. Our family now does not have a place to stay until the cleanup, sanitation and construction/renovation is completed and passes all inspections necessary to deem a house habitable. We have been informed that it could take up to 4 months for this process to be completed. We also did NOT have renters insurance nor did we have any kind of saved emergency funds. With that being said our biggest challenges right now is the cost of hotels since this will not be financially feasible in the long term and that can also accepts animals. Clothes and furniture we will need as we cannot salvage these items due to my daughters pre existing health conditions (Asthma, and carrier of cystic fibrosis). The smoke damage was enough to ruin all our belongings. We love their schools, families and friends we have grown to know and would love to stay in this strong community. I am not used to asking for anything as I am a provider and have been head of my household. I have always made magic happen for my girls. I am seeking any kind of help that can be provided to us.
Thank you so much for any and every help this community has given already and will give as well. Definitely when we are back on our feet we will pay it forward as always. Anything is appreciated and we appreciate everyone.


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    Organizer

    Ivana Velasquez
    Organizer
    Westwood, NJ

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