My name is Kee Hughes. I’m writing this because pride won’t keep my family safe—but community might.

In June of 2025, I was working as a task force manager for an engineering company during the Los Angeles fire cleanup. I was housed in a hotel near my job site. During that time, ICE agents were also staying at the hotel, and riots broke out almost daily. The environment was volatile, tense, and unsafe.

One day, everything changed.

I was drugged, brutally assaulted, and carjacked. I lost everything—my car, my clothes, my computers, my phones, my birth certificate, driver’s license, Social Security card, bank cards, credit cards, and every dollar I had. My accounts were wiped out completely. I woke up in a hospital bed not even knowing how I got there. My eyes were swollen shut with black eyes and ulcers. I could barely walk. I was disoriented, displaced, and alone.

With no money, no identification, and no way to access my life, I was effectively erased overnight.

I had to rehabilitate myself physically and mentally while trying to survive without resources. In August, I moved to Texas seeking refuge with my girlfriend and her child—trying to rebuild some sense of stability and safety.

In October, I found temporary housing for my family with an elderly woman who allowed us to stay in exchange for me repairing and maintaining her property. Unfortunately, she was recently diagnosed with dementia and had to close her home down. All of our belongings are still there, and we had to leave abruptly.

Today, we are homeless.

I’ve only recently been able to replace my identification—my driver’s license, Social Security card, and birth certificate. I still haven’t been compensated in any way for the assault that took everything from me.

On top of this, my girlfriend is very sick and needs a hip replacement. Her child is a straight-A student, a gifted aspiring music producer, and dreams of attending Morehouse College. That child is the reason I keep pushing forward even when I’m exhausted.

We’ve found a place to live—but we need help to secure it. We need funds for:

• First month’s rent, deposit, and last month

• Food and basic household necessities

• Furniture and appliances

• Utilities

• Servicing our only vehicle so we can work and get to medical appointments

December 27th is my birthday. I never imagined asking for help like this at this point in my life—but survival humbles you.

I know everyone is going through something. I don’t believe I’m more deserving than anyone else. I’m just asking for help to stand back up, to put a roof over my family’s head, to protect our child’s future, and to rebuild what was taken through violence and circumstance.

If you can help—even a little—you are not just donating. You are helping me help myself and my family move forward with dignity.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for seeing us. Thank you for any support, prayers, or shares.

With respect and gratitude,

Kee Hughes