Help Michelle & Family into Temp Housing

Thank you for taking the time to visit this page, it is my sincere hope that you will read through and help my friend Michelle. First, let me start by explaining how I came to know Michelle. During my time in undergrad, (about 20 yrs. ago) I had the pleasure of meeting one of the kindest, most loving human being’s. At the time she was a young mother of two, I was in awe at how she could juggle motherhood and working. I could barely handle school and work… but I digress, this is not about me. What you must understand and what I would like to convey is that she is a cheerful giver, and is always ready to lend a helping hand. Through the years, I learned of her giving nature. I am touched at her generosity for humanity, things that we only dream of doing for others this woman of pure heart puts into action. Some of the most notable giving she has shared with the community are as follows:

• 2015, she started a community organization, called Second Mom that aides in helping the underserved in Palm Beach County. SecondMom Link

She has clothed over 50 families, providing each child with 1 week of gently used uniforms and shoes all collected through donations. Items such as new backpacks, new undergarments/socks that she purchases throughout the year and distributes.

• In addition to her work at Second Mom's annual Back to School drive, Michelle, family and close friends take turns preparing meals that feed the local homeless as well as providing blessing bags/purses with toiletries. See link above for pictures.

• 2016, after the tragic murder of her stepson, she alongside his mother started a toy drive with the leftover donations from his funeral to purchase, wrap and deliver gifts to children of murdered parents and other needy kids in the community. They named this initiative, KJ's Kids in memory of him. This would be their only experience of joy that Holiday season.

• 2017, Michelle became a teen mom mentor. Having navigated life as a teen parent herself she shared her time and experience to alleviate the fears of teen parenting for less fortunate girls. She has proudly served 6 girls as a volunteer mentor for Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies of Palm Beach, a position she speaks of and embraces with great enthusiasm.

• 2017-2018, now having raised her own 3 children ages 22, 19 and 15 (all responsible young adults) 2 small children would be left on her doorstep the night before Thanksgiving of 2017. Their little sister would later come into their care in 2018. You can learn more about how that relationship came to be here: Adoption Link

• 2019, Michelle adopted those 3 children, the whole story is here:whole story link

 

July 21, 2021- Michelle received a certified letter from her Landlord that she would need to find a new home for her family to reside in, as the property was going up for sale. This is the fourth time she would need to uproot her family due to owners selling, except now there are 6 children. She became homeless due to constant housing discrimination and people unwilling to accept housing choice vouchers as she has been searching since July. A couple of days ago I learned that Michelle has been living in a couple of hotel rooms since September 3rd. Please make note Michelle works Full time as an office manager at a doctor’s office however it is difficult to save money for unexpected expenses. Michelle being responsible was able to put a deposit down on a place that would house her family. The issue herein lies with waiting for government assistance that she awaits from housing. The Housing Authority has not given a time frame (despite daily calls and emails) of when they plan to inspect the new home so that she can move her family into the home she has secured. Her funds are dwindling fast in hotel room costs. I humbly ask you to help me raise funds for her to stay in a temporary rental to provide her family stability during this transitionary period in their life. A few of us realize that for many of us we are only a few paychecks away from homelessness. Please open your hearts and donate what you can and help this deserving family a chance at some semblance of normalcy in their day to day while she waits for government assistance.

If you were to ask her how you could help her or what you, yourself could give to her, she would simply say to pray for her. I believe God uses people to intercede so please share with anyone that might want to pay it forward as Michelle has done repeatedly in her life. We all need help sometimes.

Thank you in advance for your time, prayers and donations.

 

Goal Rationale- Hoping to receive funds by Sept 23, 2021 Temporary mo. stays for a 2 bdr 1 bath via Air B n B is approx. $3,500 per month, homes that would house 3-4 bdrs are upwards of 5k per mo. Renting hotel rooms is exceeding her monthly salary.) Should Michelle gain traction with housing, any funds received in excess of temporary rental costs will go towards securing a down payment towards a forever home.