Nicholas and I met through church, where I also got to know his mother, Rebecca. Rebecca was a single mother who, after the unexpected passing of her own parents in 2019, inherited their home. The house was left in a difficult state, as her parents had been hoarders, and she and Nicholas began the long process of cleaning and making it livable. Nicholas, who is autistic, relied on Rebecca for support and stability.

Tragically, Rebecca became very ill and passed away in August 2022, leaving Nicholas alone with no close relatives and very little money. Living in a rural area, Nicholas struggled to get by—he doesn’t drive, and his social challenges made it hard to reach out for help. A friend from school moved in to assist, but they could barely afford electricity and food, and the house had no hot water or heat. One stormy night, a friend of mine found Nicholas walking along the road, thin and depressed, and learned about his situation. Since then, we’ve helped him with legal matters and found him a part-time job, but the house remains in desperate need of repair.

Black mold has spread throughout the home due to years of neglect and trash, and the main support system on one side of the house is dangerously rotted. The shower has even collapsed into the crawlspace. Nicholas deserves a safe, healthy place to live, and that’s why we’re asking for your help. Donations will go toward repairing the structure, removing mold, and professionally cleaning and painting the interior, so Nicholas can have a stable home for life. I wish you could meet Nicholas—he has such a caring heart, even though he struggles to express himself. He loves animals and making people laugh, despite all the loss he’s faced. Your support will help change his life, and when he’s safe, I hope to take him to Universal in Florida for a new beginning. Thank you so much for helping us make this possible.