My name is Boubacar, and I live in Chicago with my father, Amadou. For years, my dad has worked hard driving for Uber and Lyft, while I started delivering with DoorDash earlier this year. Our car was our only way to earn a living and support ourselves. Last Sunday, our car was taken by a family member, and despite reaching out to the authorities and the dealership, we haven’t been able to get it back or prove sole ownership. This has left us without any way to work or bring in income.

Because of this sudden loss, we’ve fallen behind on our rent and our gas service was disconnected, leaving us without heat or hot water as the weather gets colder. We’re now facing eviction within 30 days if we can’t pay our balance, and we’re struggling to meet even our most basic needs. The support from this fundraiser will help us stay in our home and restore our gas service so we can have heat and hot water again. If there’s any extra, we hope to put it toward getting another car so we can get back to work and regain our independence.

Those who know me and my father know that we’ve always treated others with warmth, kindness, and respect. We’re reaching out to our community in this difficult time, hoping for a helping hand. Any support, no matter the amount, will make a real difference for us as we work to get back on our feet.