Hello, my name is Manuel. I’m reaching out on behalf of myself and my mom after we lost our home in a devastating apartment fire. My mother is elderly, legally blind due to diabetes, and uses a wheelchair. I am her daily caregiver, and we escaped the fire with our lives, but everything else—our sense of safety, our belongings, and our home—was lost in an instant.

Since the fire, we’ve been staying in temporary places, trying to figure out what comes next. Unfortunately, the property management has not really helped us find another place to live. They simply told us to find another spot on our own, save our receipts, and that maybe we might be reimbursed at some point. This has left us feeling overwhelmed and uncertain, as we are paying for hotels, food, clothing, transportation, medications, and other necessities out of pocket. The stress of this situation is especially hard as I try to care for my mom and help her feel safe again. Local news stations shared our story and encouraged us to create this GoFundMe so our community could help us get back on our feet.

Every donation, no matter the amount, will help us cover temporary housing, food, clothing, transportation, medical and caregiving needs, and replacing essential household items as we rebuild our lives. If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing our story with your friends, family, or on social media—every share truly helps. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness, prayers, and support during one of the hardest times of our lives.