My name is Ashley, and I’m a single mother living in Brooklyn, NY with my 7-year-old daughter, Danica. Life has thrown us some tough challenges—after my partner left, I became the sole provider for Danica and took on all the debt from our marriage. Despite my best efforts, I lost my job and had to accept a new role with a significant pay cut. Since then, it’s been a struggle to keep up with rent and other bills, and now I’m facing the real possibility of eviction within the next month.

I’ve done everything I can to keep us afloat. I’ve cut back on expenses, searched for deals at local supermarkets, and reached out to close friends for help. I’m preparing to look for a part-time job, but childcare is a challenge. I’m doing my best to stay grounded and focused, but the stress of this situation is overwhelming. My biggest worry is that losing our home will disrupt Danica’s schooling and her sense of stability. She needs consistency and support, especially as she navigates her own challenges at school.

Staying in our home, even for a few more months, would give us the stability we need while I work on a plan to relocate to a more affordable city. I want to give Danica the life she deserves and show her that we can get through hard times with the help of our community. I’m sharing our story here in hopes of finding support and a little breathing room to plan for our future. Thank you for reading and for caring about single mothers like me and children like Danica.