UPDATE: HELP! Family now homeless! As of Sept 1st

My name is Melissa, and I am writing on behalf of my long-time friend Susan, who is constitutionally against asking for charity for herself, because she's just that kind of person.

The short story: Like so many of us, her family of four - 3 of whom were working - has lived one hardship or illness away from financial disaster... and then she contracted that illness. She is in danger of becoming homeless with her family, and needs help! This is a woman who has always opened her doors to anyone else in need, and never taken a handout, but this time, she needs $5000 minimum to help cover moving and security/downpayment expenses to get into a less expensive apartment by the end of the month.

The long story: They recently moved from Florida to Washington, and had good, well-paying jobs. She had just gotten

her Bachelor’s degree and was able to work for the first time as a college graduate, as a

job coach for special needs/developmentally delayed individuals. She adored the job.

In December, the whole family got the flu, and hers progressed into pneumonia, and her health started to decline. She developed narcolepsy and ran into a guard rail on the highway, and rolled into another car while stopped at a red light. She started having severe back pain and shortness of breath. She is now working with the team at Washington University Medical Department, being treated by a cardiologist, a rheumatologist, a pulmonary specialist and a hematologist. She is dangerously iron deficient and her potassium level was so low they sent her directly to the ER.

Her condition deteriorated to the extent that she had to begin using a walker with a seat, and ask for reasonable accommodations to continue using it on her job. Despite this being guaranteed by state law, her supervisor and HR rep first tried to fire her, and then (when thwarted), HR decided to place her on a medical leave of absence. The state of Washington funds a paid LOA to workers who have put in 800 hours... she has only worked 780. So no pay.

Shortly after she was placed on unpaid leave, her husband’s job in retail cut hours to 17 per week across the board. He has JUST found another job. Her daughter, who was a gymnastics coach, has recently begun teaching preschool, as coaching also slowed significantly, and she too lost income.

Finally, her eldest daughter has been in and out of the hospital, and with her combined developmental delays and mental health diagnoses, she will be moving to a group home shortly. In the interim, she is requiring round-the-clock supervision and care.

Although they were doing okay without her income, as hours were taken away from other jobs, they began to fall behind. They still owe their landlords for July and now for August. Their landlords have been very accommodating, but they have to move out of this house by August 31st, and they are repaying the landlords with a good bit of each new paycheck.

Before they can get into another apartment they need to have first, last and security deposit. Their current rent is $3600 for the house. They are downsizing to an apartment, looking to keep their budget between $2000/$2250.

After being so sick, she is afraid that they will not be able to have the money to move and may wind up homeless. Dealing with her illness has left her fatigued and in pain. She is unable to use traditional pain meds as her kidneys and liver cannot process them, so she is unable to be of much help while moving (especially while caring for her daughter while waiting for the group home to approve her). They are looking at hiring a local moving company to help get the job done.

To get into a place, they will need a minimum of $5000 to cover all of the above, but any help will be very much appreciated!