Help Me Save My Home After Medical Retaliation & Job Loss

Hi, my name is Emma.

Quick Summary:

I never imagined I would be in a position where I’d need to ask for help like this but here I am. I have been doing my best to survive a situation that unraveled very quickly and very unfairly.

For over seven years, I worked at a small local business. I started as a cleaner when everything was done with paper files, notebooks, and handwritten ledgers. Over time, I worked my way through nearly every role in the company: cleaner, inspector, office administrator, marketing and IT manager, operations manager, relationship management, whatever was needed. I was loyal, dedicated, and deeply invested in the success of the company.

I transitioned the company into modern technological systems, introducing software, automation, marketing, and operational improvements that helped more than triple the company’s growth into a market leader that did over $3 million in revenue yearly.

Then the business was acquired by a private equity firm based out of California, part of a growing trend of corporate consolidation impacting small local businesses in our area. Shortly after the acquisition, my health condition flared up. I followed the law and filed intermittent FMLA paperwork to receive medical treatment and reasonable accommodation.

My request was modest—four additional days off for intensive treatment, then intermittent leave only as medically needed.

Within days of submitting my FMLA request, I was laid off.

The reason given was “organizational changes.”

Since May, I have been unemployed.

Why This Matters So Much

I am the first woman in my family to:

I bought my home at a time when my disabled mother and brother came to live with me, hoping it would remain a stable place for family and community. My brother has dreams of attending college and living here while he does.

Since purchasing my home, I’ve opened my doors to people in need—friends and family escaping abusive situations, experiencing homelessness, or simply needing a safe place to rest during difficult times. As a former foster youth, I also hoped one day to foster youth myself, offering the same stability and care that once helped me survive.

Since becoming unemployed, I’ve gone over $20,000 into debt just trying to survive, covering medical care, basic living expenses, and keeping the lights on.

My mortgage is currently in unemployment forbearance until April, but when that ends, the entire past-due balance of approximately $26,000 becomes due at once. If I cannot pay it, or secure stable employment in time, I will lose my home.

If I do find employment soon, the lender has indicated they may work with me on a long-term repayment plan. But without help bridging this gap, I may never get the chance.

I’ve Been Doing Everything I Can

This has not been a period of giving up.

While unemployed, I have:

Unfortunately, positions I have heard back from for next steps do not pay enough to save my home. Additionally, the rental market requires 3x the rent in income—something I currently cannot meet and could still not meet with the jobs that have been willing to interview me. Selling my house would likely leave me breaking even at best, and still leave me without viable housing. I have a mortgage loan that will not allow me to rent my house out unless I am first able to pay $10,000, which I do not have.

I do not have safe, stable family I can move in with.

I also have three rescue cats and two goldfish—one with a tumor—and we would all be displaced if I cannot find a solution.

Why I’m Asking for Help

I am asking for help not because I stopped trying. I haven’t stopped, but I need support.

I have worked at least 40 hours a week since I was 18, and at least 20 hours a week from ages 16–18, even while in foster care. I fought my way out of homelessness and a trauma-ridden past to build a successful career without asking for support until now. I have searched for and applied to other assistance programs, but many have waitlists of nine months or more, time I simply do not have.

Your donation will go directly toward:

Every donation—no matter the size—helps more than you know.

If you cannot donate, sharing this page means everything.

If you can refer me to someone who may have employment opportunities, that would mean even more.

If you have resources to help launch my platform, that would be amazing too.

This campaign’s immediate goal is to prevent foreclosure by covering the $26,000 in past-due mortgage payments.

Any funds raised beyond this will go toward stabilizing my finances after months of unemployment and medical disruption, reducing debt accumulated to survive, and allowing me to rebuild sustainable income.

My Promise

I am not asking for a handout, I am asking for a hand up. I am asking for support so I can get back on my feet, continue pursuing my calling, and continue supporting others just as I have always done.

I have over 15 years of business administration and management experience, a real estate license, and skills in marketing, SEO, website building, and operations, along with extensive experience in trauma-informed personal development. I am committed to serving in my communities and using my education, experience, and voice to advocate for others facing barriers and hardships.

I also love to write and paint. If you would like to commission a piece of art or pre-purchase a book, I would be deeply grateful.

This home represents safety, healing, and hope—for me, my family, and the future I am still fighting to build.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring. Thank you for helping me survive this chapter so I can continue on my mission of building a purpose-driven future that helps not only me but also those I am meant to help.

With so much gratitude,

Emma