My name is Natasha, and for the past year, I have been raising my niece Daniele. When Daniele was just six weeks old, her father passed away from a drug overdose. Not long after, her mother struggled with the same addiction, and I stepped in to give Daniele the care and stability she needed. It hasn’t been easy, but I have done everything I can to make sure she is safe and loved.

Things became even more difficult this summer when Daniele got very sick and had to be hospitalized for a week. I lost my job because I needed to be by her side in the hospital, and since then, it has been extremely hard to find work. We lost our home, and I have been doing my best to keep us going while staying in a motel. I finally found a new job, but the bills have piled up, and every paycheck goes toward our weekly rent. I have just recently gotten Daniele’s social security card and the paperwork proving I have custody, so I haven’t been able to get any assistance until now.

With her second birthday coming up right after Christmas, it breaks my heart that I can’t give her the celebration she deserves. I am reaching out for help so that I can get us into an apartment and hopefully give Daniele a special birthday. The funds will help with our first month’s rent, security deposit, and basic needs like diapers and a stroller. Any support, whether it’s a donation or simply taking the time to read our story, means the world to us. Thank you so much, and may God bless you. Merry Christmas.