Help Erica, Her Twins, & Teen Daughter Stay in Their Home

My name's Dana Kay, a local Saint Louie/Downtown gal who, after becoming a twin Mama unexpectedly myself and surviving no shortage of trauma since, truly empathizes with how challenging parenthood, certainly single motherhood, is... and that's without overwhelming health, financial, and/or other brutal hardships.

Meet Erica, the Mama here in this photo, pictured with her twin two-year-old boys, and also the proud Mama of a beautiful teenage daughter, who continues to make the grades and stay out of trouble there in Jennings, Missouri.

GOD ensured that this Queen and I connected at a time in our lives (Fall of 2022) when both of us desperately needed human connection, warm smiles, and positive exchanges of energy. She was a full-time employee at one of the only places my littles and I ever went at the time, the Dollar General/DGX here Downtown on our block. While we had no idea at that time that either of our human experiences would become EVEN life-threatening... they did... beginning with something that far too many families and CHILDREN (both young and adults) have heard...

“CANCER”

Erica was informed in June of 2023 that she had breast cancer, which was actively spreading and would need immediate chemotherapy, followed by a mastectomy, and radiation if she is to survive. This WARRIOR QUEEN immediately began addressing it while continuing to care for her family on her own and working as long as she was able to. Unfortunately, as if this devastating health diagnosis wasn't awful enough, her corporate employer FLOPPED... still presently owes paychecks, and due to their administrative negligence, continued to show her working for many months, preventing Erica from being approved for any public assistance/food stamps.

I'll never forget the early June day when we embraced in a tight hug away from the cash registers, hiding from a few customers at that moment so I could personally pour into her with my love and encouragement. While I was in 'no place to help' in theory, we knew before then, then, and NOW that GOD had connected us twin Mamas purposefully, would NOT forsake us, and TOGETHER we would get through, ensuring Erica won this battle and rings that bell!

I am not going to sugarcoat... this battle has taken its toll... physically, mentally, emotionally, financially... and the spiritual tests have certainly forever shaped and strengthened us, too.

I have shared food/money/resources and advocated for her with her former landlord who had integrity issues. Story for another time, but let's just say I caught him red-handed, threatened to expose him, and he will be happy never hearing from me again.

Fortunately, we have been able to avoid eviction, keep her rent balance mostly paid, and though there's been no shortage of threats of disconnection, disconnection, and REconnection... the lights are currently ON, the water is currently ON, for NOW...

This is the first fundraiser/GoFundMe for Erica and hopefully the only one she and her sweet little family will ever need again.

We must immediately pay $1300.00 or the new homeowner/landlord is not going to give her a lease and they will be HOMELESS as of 10/12/2024 — she has ensured shelter, on her own, and with no familial support for 7-8 years. She is an amazing Mama not only battling breast cancer (while missing too many treatments lately) but she is also admittedly suffering from suicidal thoughts as she simply has run out of steam, feeling hopeless, forgotten, and unsure if she will ever make it to the sound of that bell.

Whether $5, $50, or $500 — please consider supporting this resilient woman who is in absolute dire need to maintain their home, and hopefully have a few months of no worries when it comes to basic necessities.

I have income opportunities lining up for her, including creative culinary collaborations which we will be sharing with YOU & THE WORLD very soon and in time for upcoming holidays.

This won't be the last time you see her beautiful smile and whether you know any of us well or not, it would mean much to include YOU and whomever else is interested, in OUR comeback of comeback stories... it's an epic one which will not only stabilize our personal lives, but support MANY as they live their happier, healthier, safer, tastier, and more prosperous human experiences, too. Thank you for considering and please, please, please share!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, Domestic Violence Awareness month, and yesterday (10/10) was Mental Health Awareness day... We have ALL been either directly or indirectly affected by one or more of the above... PEOPLE are resilient and we are absolutely stronger and safer when better connected, in CommUNiTY (online & in real life) and contributing how we are able to, when we are able to, and there's always a way we ARE able to. GOD will NOT forsake us, fear is NOT an option, and where there's a WILL, there's a WAY!