On Sunday, November 30th, right after Thanksgiving and just three days before her daughter's 17th birthday, Grace Aikhuele and her daughter experienced a devastating loss. Their home of 20 years was destroyed in a house fire. The fire began in an abandoned house next door, one that Grace had been reporting to the city of Newark for weeks, hoping to prevent exactly this kind of tragedy. In addition to losing their home, Grace’s car was also lost in the fire, leaving them without transportation or a place to stay.

Grace has always been a caring and active member of her Newark community, and she is known and loved by many. Now, she and her daughter are facing the overwhelming challenge of starting over from scratch. They need help to secure temporary housing, replace essential belongings, get a new car, and begin the long process of rebuilding their home. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a real difference in helping them get back on their feet.

Please consider supporting Grace and her daughter during this difficult time. Your generosity and kindness will mean the world to them. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this GoFundMe with your social network would be a tremendous help. Thank you in advance for your support—it is deeply appreciated by our family and by the Newark community that knows and loves Grace.