My 17-year-old daughter is a senior in high school, and she truly deserves to attend her prom this May. She’s an honor roll student, engaged in extracurricular activities, and preparing to go to college at the end of summer 2026. Unfortunately, we can't afford her prom ticket, dress, shoes, hair, nails, and makeup, which together are a significant price (GoFundMe does not allow actual $ amounts to be listed, sorry, as I have wanted full transparency throughout this plea for help). Shopping and planning need to start happening ASAP, but in the meantime, we are struggling to keep up with basic needs and are far behind on some bills that must be paid now.
Work & Income:
Our financial issues began when my work hours became inconsistent. My employer canceled some of my long weekend shifts or reduced my hours, then eventually cut them in half on an ongoing basis. For months now, I have been bringing home a very small amount of income after taxes that no one could live off of (again, I would like to list the actual $ amount but it’s prohibited by GoFundMe). As of this past week, I am basically jobless. Massachusetts state law allows employers with fewer than 10/11 employees to not pay out accrued sick time, so even piled-up sick time is no help. I will file for unemployment, but it can take up to 30 days to start receiving funds, and you only get half of your income.
Monthly Expenses:
Our monthly expenses are very high and too high to sustain with my deduction in hours. They include rent, health insurance, credit card debt, phone, utilities, cable-wifi (needed for school), car payments for two vehicles, car insurance for two vehicles, gas for two cars, groceries, medical bills, pet care, school-related costs, nursing apps/websites/platforms monthly payments (needed for study), laptop/printer (needed for school).
Not included in that total are: clothes and shoes for our teens as we move into the spring and summer months; our three children's birthdays in June; my end-of-school-year program costs; and pet vet bills, which have already cost us dearly, and our pet continues to need monthly medications and care.
Nursing School & Job Search:
The time dedicated to nursing school is comparable to working two full-time jobs, with a schedule that includes 35 hours of mandatory in-person classes and clinical (Monday through Friday), 40+ hours of study and research, and additional time for complex assignments and practice of skills. There is limited time for additional employment, and although I’ve been looking for a suitable job that will work with my school schedule, mandatory company new hire orientations often conflict with my school schedule. These class and clinical hours are mandatory to graduate and cannot be missed, and I’m so close to the finish line.
Family Income & Assistance:
My husband is a hardworking provider, but his income is inconsistent at times and was drastically reduced in the winter months. He brings home only 54% of his weekly income after direct taxes, additional weekly payments to the IRS, 401k loan payments, and other deductions. He already works from morning to night, leaving no time to fit in a part-time job for extra income. We do not qualify for financial assistance (food stamps, cash benefits, rental assistance) due to his income before taxes, but we are still struggling. To receive help with rent, one would need to face eviction or have received a notice to quit, yet we do not qualify financially.
We are so close to better days, but right now we need help to make sure my daughter can have her special prom experience and our family can get through these last few months. Support and donations mean more to us than words can say. Sharing our GoFundMe and reaching out to those you know who have the heart and means to help is greatly appreciated and often the only way families like ours can reach our goal.
Work & Income:
Our financial issues began when my work hours became inconsistent. My employer canceled some of my long weekend shifts or reduced my hours, then eventually cut them in half on an ongoing basis. For months now, I have been bringing home a very small amount of income after taxes that no one could live off of (again, I would like to list the actual $ amount but it’s prohibited by GoFundMe). As of this past week, I am basically jobless. Massachusetts state law allows employers with fewer than 10/11 employees to not pay out accrued sick time, so even piled-up sick time is no help. I will file for unemployment, but it can take up to 30 days to start receiving funds, and you only get half of your income.
Monthly Expenses:
Our monthly expenses are very high and too high to sustain with my deduction in hours. They include rent, health insurance, credit card debt, phone, utilities, cable-wifi (needed for school), car payments for two vehicles, car insurance for two vehicles, gas for two cars, groceries, medical bills, pet care, school-related costs, nursing apps/websites/platforms monthly payments (needed for study), laptop/printer (needed for school).
Not included in that total are: clothes and shoes for our teens as we move into the spring and summer months; our three children's birthdays in June; my end-of-school-year program costs; and pet vet bills, which have already cost us dearly, and our pet continues to need monthly medications and care.
Nursing School & Job Search:
The time dedicated to nursing school is comparable to working two full-time jobs, with a schedule that includes 35 hours of mandatory in-person classes and clinical (Monday through Friday), 40+ hours of study and research, and additional time for complex assignments and practice of skills. There is limited time for additional employment, and although I’ve been looking for a suitable job that will work with my school schedule, mandatory company new hire orientations often conflict with my school schedule. These class and clinical hours are mandatory to graduate and cannot be missed, and I’m so close to the finish line.
Family Income & Assistance:
My husband is a hardworking provider, but his income is inconsistent at times and was drastically reduced in the winter months. He brings home only 54% of his weekly income after direct taxes, additional weekly payments to the IRS, 401k loan payments, and other deductions. He already works from morning to night, leaving no time to fit in a part-time job for extra income. We do not qualify for financial assistance (food stamps, cash benefits, rental assistance) due to his income before taxes, but we are still struggling. To receive help with rent, one would need to face eviction or have received a notice to quit, yet we do not qualify financially.
We are so close to better days, but right now we need help to make sure my daughter can have her special prom experience and our family can get through these last few months. Support and donations mean more to us than words can say. Sharing our GoFundMe and reaching out to those you know who have the heart and means to help is greatly appreciated and often the only way families like ours can reach our goal.