For the many, many years I've known and worked with Jo (pictured right) and her beautiful family, they've always managed to scrape by. But after some especially bad luck, in an already tough economy, they now need help to afford temporary emergency housing while they await a shelter placement.

A little more on their story...Jo, her mother, and three brothers are refugees from Sri Lanka. They were resettled in Oakland, CA in 2012 in one of the most expensive urban regions in the country. For various medical reasons, Jo has been the only working-aged person in the family of 5 that has been able to support the household, and she has done so with tremendous courage, strength and dedication since she was 17 years old. She is now 22, has earned her Certified Nursing Assistant certificate and has been a beloved caretaker and fierce advocate for the elderly for the past 3 years.

About a year and half ago, they moved Utah in hopes of a more affordable and safe life, but its been tough to survive there with poor social services and a truly inhumane minimum wage. They are now returning to the Bay Area, where Jo was previously able to earn, save and consistently provide. They need money to house them for a few months until they can get settled with new employment and placed into a shelter or subsidized housing.

Jo is one the strongest, most hardworking, caring and generous people I have ever met. There is way, way too much on her shoulders. Anything you can do will help her sleep a little easier and ensure that this family stays warm and off the streets.