From Rev. Dr. Jason Cook: I’ve set up this GoFundMe to support someone in our community who is facing a difficult housing crisis. She has been an active justice worker for others, tirelessly trying to help those in need. Now she needs some help herself. For her privacy and safety, she is remaining anonymous (we are calling her "Milena," not her real name). I can confirm that the money given through this campaign goes directly to her. As you can see, some other community leaders are providing their testimonials here. Thank you for helping bring stability and hope to a family working hard to rebuild their home and their lives.

Milena's story: She has two kids in high school. Her eldest is planning to go to college next year and has a 5 GPA and plays in the orchestra. Her youngest is also an honor roll student. Both kids are involved in sports. She works in cleaning services. Until Spring of this year she was renting a house and had people who shared the rent with her. Then the landlord decided not to have renters anymore, falsely claiming Milena had caused damage to the yard and home; the landlord withheld her deposit. Milena was not able to get help from free legal services to fight this situation. Now she needs close to $5000 for a deposit for a new rental apartment to augment what's she's been able to save up. (In the midst of all of this, she injured herself lifting something for one of her jobs – which caused her to lose some wages.) Currently she and her 2 kids are renting space in a house (actually an open space without closets or doors) – where they have to take turns using the kitchen and have so little room that they need to rent a storage facility – which they have to visit nearly every day in order to get necessary items. She holds on to her faith to persevere.

Rona Henry's Testimonial for Milena: I met Melina as part of my work to form the Homes for All Coalition – which Tapestry Unitarian Universalist Congregation worked with other organizations to start. This work was funded from a grant from the Equity in OC initiative (an Orange County funded initiative).

We did outreach to find community members who were facing housing insecurity and who were interested in how to become affordable housing advocates. It was at the first workshop that I met Milena. She told her story of growing up in an overcrowded home because her family needed to take in borders to make ends meet.

We had 5 workshops – and Milena showed up to every workshop. After a couple of sessions, she started to bring her teenage children so they too could learn how to become advocates too. She and her kids joined us when we marched in the Lake Forest 4th of July Parade – and they carried our signs calling for more affordable housing.

Milena also took time out of her busy schedule to meet with one of the Lake Forest City Council members and the City manager to tell them her story of housing insecurity. She said it represents many people she knows who need affordable housing.

I've enjoyed her getting to know Melina and her children who are very polite and respectful. I have been impressed by Milena's reliability, devotion to her kids, good humor and open spirit. She's had to be vulnerable to ask for help, but she swallows her pride for her kids' sake – because providing for them is her number one priority.

Rudy Barbosa Testimonial for Milena: I met Milena through the Homes for All Coalition, where she quickly stood out as someone deeply committed to learning, serving, and advocating not just for her own family but for many others facing similar struggles. From the beginning, it was clear that Milena carries herself with humility, strength, and a genuine desire to create positive change.

Milena has been an active participant in our coalition meetings as well as in multiple community workshops focused on housing justice. Most notably, she completed a 10 week training series from June through August, where participants studied affordable housing processes, policy, and advocacy. This was an intensive program, and Milena showed up every week prepared, engaged, and eager to learn how to use her voice to improve circumstances for low income families. Her commitment extends beyond local work as well. Milena has participated in advocacy at the state level and has courageously shared her story to help illuminate the real world impacts of housing insecurity. She does all of this while working long hours and raising two exceptional children who are also active in our events and advocacy efforts. Their character, kindness, and maturity speak volumes about the home Milena has created for them, even under incredibly difficult circumstances.

Milena is dedicated, hardworking, and persistent in the face of challenges that would overwhelm most people. She continues to push forward for her family and for many others who quietly endure similar struggles. Supporting her now is an opportunity to help a mother who has shown extraordinary resilience and who continues to give back to her community while navigating hardship of her own.

Please help someone in need--someone who has given so much to the community over the years.