My name is Janis, and I’m reaching out for help for myself and my 5-year-old daughter, Starla. Three months ago, while we were visiting family in Michigan, we were illegally evicted from our home. We returned to find a two-day eviction notice on our door, and I had to borrow money just to get us both back. Because of the cost, Starla and I had to fly back separately, which was heartbreaking. Since then, we’ve been struggling to keep up with storage fees for our belongings, and I’ve had to rely on borrowed money just to get by.
Right now, we are living in my car. All the shelters are full because of recent flooding, and even if there was space, I worry about Starla’s safety in those environments. Every morning, I get her ready for school in a gas station bathroom, and I drive her back and forth to school each day. To get gas for my car, I have to ask people at the gas station for a couple of dollars, just so we can keep going. We are completely out of food, and the food bank options aren’t enough for Starla. Someone stole our storage unit keys, and now I’m facing extra fees just to access our things. If I can’t pay, our belongings will be auctioned off. My daughter has outgrown most of her clothes, and I’ve been wearing the same outfit for days.
We have a two-bedroom townhome waiting for us in Michigan, but we need help with gas to get there, as well as food, clothing, and storage fees. We also need help to pay for a storage pod to move all our belongings to Michigan so we can finally settle in. This year, I have no money for Christmas gifts, and for the first time, Starla will go without a Christmas tree. She keeps asking for a house for Christmas, and it breaks my heart to tell her that’s not something Santa can bring. I’m doing everything I can to keep her safe and cared for, but I can’t do it alone.
I know we are not any better than those who lost their homes in the flood—that is a terrible tragedy, and my heart goes out to them and their families. I just hope someone can help us out a little as well. God bless everyone who is able to help, and may we all find our way back on our feet. Any support, no matter how small, would mean the world to us. Thank you for helping us get back on our feet and give my daughter hope for the holidays.
Right now, we are living in my car. All the shelters are full because of recent flooding, and even if there was space, I worry about Starla’s safety in those environments. Every morning, I get her ready for school in a gas station bathroom, and I drive her back and forth to school each day. To get gas for my car, I have to ask people at the gas station for a couple of dollars, just so we can keep going. We are completely out of food, and the food bank options aren’t enough for Starla. Someone stole our storage unit keys, and now I’m facing extra fees just to access our things. If I can’t pay, our belongings will be auctioned off. My daughter has outgrown most of her clothes, and I’ve been wearing the same outfit for days.
We have a two-bedroom townhome waiting for us in Michigan, but we need help with gas to get there, as well as food, clothing, and storage fees. We also need help to pay for a storage pod to move all our belongings to Michigan so we can finally settle in. This year, I have no money for Christmas gifts, and for the first time, Starla will go without a Christmas tree. She keeps asking for a house for Christmas, and it breaks my heart to tell her that’s not something Santa can bring. I’m doing everything I can to keep her safe and cared for, but I can’t do it alone.
I know we are not any better than those who lost their homes in the flood—that is a terrible tragedy, and my heart goes out to them and their families. I just hope someone can help us out a little as well. God bless everyone who is able to help, and may we all find our way back on our feet. Any support, no matter how small, would mean the world to us. Thank you for helping us get back on our feet and give my daughter hope for the holidays.
Organizer
