As parents, asking for help is one of the hardest things we have ever had to do. We have always worked hard, taken care of our family, and tried to handle whatever life has put in front of us on our own.

But today, Joel and I are putting our pride aside and asking for help.

About six months ago, we hired a contractor to renovate our family home. We did our research. We trusted the person we hired and believed we were putting our home—and our family’s future—in good hands.

Instead, our home was torn apart, and our family’s life was turned upside down.

We moved out with our two children and lived in Airbnbs for nearly three months while we waited for the work on our home to progress. That alone cost our family nearly **$20,000**.

When we finally returned home, we were devastated to find that the house was in shambles. We repeatedly raised concerns about the work and were reassured that everything was fine.

It wasn't.

Our municipality completed an inspection, and our concerns were confirmed. We then had a professional assessment completed at our own expense to determine the condition of the work that had been done. We had already paid approximately **75% of our renovation funds—$155,000**—yet we were left with a home that was not safe or livable and work that required significant correction.

We were devastated. The tears have been endless, and feeling like a failure at being a parent is a horrendous feeling.

Our family home was left with live electrical wires exposed throughout the house. Both Joel and I experienced electrical shocks. Much of our home was left without power.

Holes were drilled into our basement floor, damaging our sewer line, and the issue was not brought to our attention at the time. It was covered rather than properly addressed.

Parts of the foundation for our addition were left filled with dirt rather than completed as intended.

And throughout the house, work was left unfinished or in a condition that made the home unsafe for our family to live in.

This isn't simply a renovation gone wrong.

This was supposed to be the place where we raised our children. Our safe place. The place where we made memories, celebrated birthdays and holidays, and built our future.

For our son, who has autism, home is especially important. It is the place where he feels secure, comfortable and calm. Having that taken away from him has been heartbreaking for us as parents.

**Right now, we don't have a home.**

Because such a large portion of our renovation money was already paid, we simply don't have the financial ability to turn the house back into a safe, livable home on our own.

We are currently living with family, and we cannot put into words how incredibly grateful we are to have a safe place where the four of us can stay together. Having somewhere to sleep, eat, and be together as a family during this time means more to us than we could ever express.

But we desperately want to get back home. Without help, unfortunately this will never happen as we simply cannot afford to pay the amount needed to even at a bare minimum make our home liveable again.

We have hired a new contractor who has begun the difficult process of removing damaged and improperly completed work and rebuilding our home properly. We are finally seeing progress, but the financial burden is overwhelming.

We have already spent tens of thousands of dollars on temporary housing, assessments, repairs and the costs associated with trying to correct what was left behind. We are now facing substantial additional expenses to make our home safe, bring the work up to code, and finally get our family home.

We are also pursuing the appropriate legal avenues regarding what happened, but those processes take time. In the meantime, the bills continue and our family remains without a home of our own.

**This is why we are asking for help.**

Any help—truly, **any help at all**—would mean more to our family than we can put into words.

If you are able to donate, every dollar will go toward getting our family home safe, functional and livable again.

If you aren't able to donate, we completely understand. Sharing this fundraiser may be just as meaningful to us. Every share helps us reach someone who may be able to help.

As difficult as it is to ask, we are trying to remember that there is no shame in accepting help when your family needs it.

We just want our home back.

We want our children to have their bedrooms back.

We want our son to have his safe space back.

We want to stop living in uncertainty and start rebuilding our lives.

And most of all, we want to walk through our front door again someday and finally feel **safe at home.**

To our family who has opened their home to us, we will never be able to adequately thank you for giving our family a place to be together through all of this.

And to everyone reading this, whether you donate, share our story, send a message, or simply keep our family in your thoughts—we are genuinely grateful.

**Thank you for helping us find our way home.**

With love and gratitude,

Tonya & Joel Charron