Help a Single Mom Avoid Eviction After Escaping Abuse

Hello everyone,

My name is Ivanka, and I’m a 33-year-old single mom to two amazing teens — and our rescue cats and dog who bring us comfort and joy.

For most of my adult life, I’ve done everything on my own — raising my kids, working full-time, building a safe and loving home. I’ve always found a way, even through the hardest times — including cancer and autoimmune disease. I even moved our little family to a new country, hoping to give my children a better future. We’ve always been strong together.

I’ve been a single mother since the day my children were born. I receive no child support. I have no close friends or family nearby, and these were my first and only serious adult relationships in over a decade — the first time I truly let someone into our lives.

But five months ago, everything changed.

After enduring three years of emotional and physical abuse, I finally found the strength to leave my marriage and take my children to safety. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done — and the most important. We started from scratch — new home, new life, new hope. I was determined to make it work.

I worked without a single day off to rebuild our lives and repay the debts my ex left behind. But after a recent domestic violence incident, I sustained serious injuries — including a concussion and torn shoulder ligaments — and was diagnosed with PTSD and panic attacks. I was placed on medical leave and unable to work for nearly two months. I’m only just beginning to recover.

I’ve never missed a rent payment before — not once. Even now, I am not asking for my debt to be reduced or forgiven. I simply asked the leasing office for permission to split the payment into manageable portions, and assured them that I was ready to begin paying immediately. My goal has always been to repay the full amount.

But Irvine Company refuses to accept partial payments under any circumstances, demanding the entire balance in one lump sum — or else they will proceed with eviction.

I’ve contacted every nonprofit, applied to multiple emergency assistance programs, and spoken to several social workers. Unfortunately, most programs are currently underfunded, and despite my efforts, I have not been able to secure the help we need.

This is the first and only time in my life that I’ve ever asked for help. I’ve always believed in giving back — I’ve volunteered in animal shelters, and my children regularly help with babies and young children through local schools, food banks, and nonprofits like TACA. We believe deeply in kindness and community.

Right now, we just need a little kindness back.

If you’re able to donate or even share our story, it would mean the world to us. Every single dollar brings us one step closer to keeping our home — and holding on to the safety and stability we’ve fought so hard for.

From the bottom of my heart — thank you for reading our story and caring.

With deep gratitude,

Ivanka