Three years ago, single-mom Tia Gilpatrick moved herself and her teenage daughter from Seattle to a decrepit trailer located in a small, rural town outside Pullman, Washington. She felt relieved to find an affordable, permanent place to live where she did not have to fear rent hikes and landlords’ whims displacing her family. Tia also singlehandedly renovated the trailer (including repairing the plumbing) despite not owning a car or having formal education in the trades. Her daughter made friends and transitioned well into the more rural community.

Two weeks ago, Tia and her daughter lost everything. A sudden electrical fire within a wall quickly engulfed their trailer in smoke and flames, and Tia’s family had minutes to flee for their lives. Although firefighters eventually extinguished the blaze, and no one sustained any injuries, the fire ultimately destroyed the trailer.

The local government and nonprofit organizations only provided the family with $700 and a few paid nights in a motel—Resources that amounted to next to nothing for a family bereft of everything they had. Insurance did not cover the damage to the family’s mobile home and Tia still had to pay the $275 lot rent for her nonexistent trailer, on top of any debris cleanup costs from the fire. Once the money ran out, Tia’s family slept in a vehicle for a couple of nights while outside temperatures plunged to below 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

Even while homeless and without consistent access to transportation, Tia still went to her janitorial job as usual. Her daughter also wants to finish high school and seeks to resume her online classes. Please help this family escape homelessness so they can return to a normal life free from struggle and fear. Tia would especially appreciate any help with affording an apartment in Pullman.