My name is Mikayla, and I’m a disabled veteran and single mom to my 10-month-old son, Mateo. After discovering my son’s father was unfaithful and struggling with his substance abuse, I made the difficult decision to leave California and move back to Arizona for support. I’ve been fighting for custody and doing everything I can to keep Mateo safe, including providing evidence of his father’s behavior and relying on character witnesses. Despite my efforts, I was just ordered by the court to return to California by this Sunday for 50/50 custody. This sudden move has left me with nowhere to live, and I’m at risk of homelessness with my son and my service animal, Gon.

Gon is an essential part of our family—he helps me manage my PTSD, anxiety, and depression by alerting me to take my medication and providing deep pressure therapy during panic attacks. With no support system in California and no place to stay, I’m urgently seeking help to afford temporary housing in Oxnard or the surrounding area. Whether it’s a hotel, Airbnb, or a room to rent, I need a safe place for us to stay while I wait for a spot in a shelter or find something more permanent.

My goal is to find stable housing, return to work, and provide a safe, loving environment for Mateo and Gon. Any support will help us get through this critical transition and give us the chance to rebuild our lives. Thank you for reading and for any help you can offer.