Marissa is a devoted single mother to her son Malcolm and has been my close friend for many years. After years of struggling with unreliable cars and difficult renting situations, she finally achieved her dream in October: buying a home for herself and Malcolm in Jackson. They were so excited to move in and start a new chapter together. But just as they were preparing to settle in, disaster struck. A severe sewer backup in the basement revealed a crushed line near the road. Despite hiring two different companies and spending significant amounts on repairs, the problem persisted. One company even told her that the previous owner had been warned about the issue, but the real estate company said there was nothing they could do since the sale was final. Since the beginning of November, Marissa has had to rent a port-a-potty, pay for laundromats, and haul water to friends' homes just to get by. She’s already spent so much on rental fees, repair attempts, and laundromat visits, all while trying to keep life as normal as possible for Malcolm. Marissa was able to secure a grant to start repairs, but after digging up the sidewalk and paying for its replacement, the city now says the road itself must be dug up to fully repair the line, at minimum cost of $22,500 with $16,875 paid before start and balance on completion. To make matters worse, the winter weather has caused the pipes to freeze, making daily life even more challenging. Funds raised will help Marissa and Malcolm finally repair their sewer line, cover ongoing rental and repair costs, and restore basic living conditions so they can enjoy their new home. Every contribution will help them move past this nightmare and find stability. At this point, all I can hope is that there are still people who will help them from going over the edge and help give them the dream they deserve. Even if you can’t afford much, every dollar helps. Marissa would give the shirt off her back to help anyone in need—now it’s our turn to help her!