It is hard to know even where to start with this story that became a part of the Wray Family story in June 2022. Many of you have walked through parts of this journey with us and know right away who and what this is about. Other's don't know the family in the picture, with their faces blotted out for privacy. And just like their faces are blotted out in the pic, their faces will remain unknown and lost without help.

The difficult part of this Go Fund Me, is that much of this story must remain confidential for the time being. Why? Well, because there is too much at stake if this story is unfolded on social media. And why is that you might ask. The very fact that their is mandatory privacy associated with this post, may be enough for some of you to understand the critical nature of it.

I can tell you that as a part of this journey, I have personally made over 200 phone calls to every shelter, charity in Johnson County and a 60 mile radius. You would all be hard pressed to suggest something that I have not tried. I have hundreds of resources from shelters, counseling services, legal aid, job aid, HUD, Housing Authorities etc. etc. etc. We have great resources in Johnson County, do not get me wrong. However, those resources are overloaded and many wait lists are months and even years long.

This picture doesn't just represent a family that Ben, I and our kids hope to help. They represent a family whose story has become our story. And for me personally, my love for them is hard to explain. Anybody who knows me knows I am all about justice, but this is a whole different level. We have been fighting for a long time to help bring justice to this situation and we are on the brink of a miracle, but we cannot do it without finances now.

So with that, there are some very, very urgent and time sensitive needs.

1) Housing - at this time we have a temp solution that will be $3000.00. The housing can start on 1/5/2024. Housing is CRITICAL for this family to begin taking the steps to reintegrate and reunify. A stable living environment is required legally for them to reunite. One of the children is in an extremely desperate situation and cannot be released until this housing is obtained. Why is it $3000 you ask, b/c of the length of time we are obtaining. Unfortunately, I cannot publicly disclose the location. If a permanent solution is obtained, then any of these monies will be used to get that home set up.

2) Incidentals - $1500 - fees for various documents that are needed, household supplies, glasses and other miscellaneous items to get started.

Total of goals 1 and 2 is $4500 and is the current go fund me amount.

Once the family keeps the agreements outlined to meet goals 1 and 2, I will update the go fund me for the amounts outlined in goals 2 and 4.

3) Vehicle - $4500 - if anyone knows of a vehicle or wants to donate one, that is great too. This amount is not in the current go fund me amount.

4) $2000 for furniture, washer, dryer, toys, supplies once a permanent housing solution is obtained. We will need everything, beds, linens, washer, dryer...everything. My facebook marketplace prowess comes in handy here:). We do have a very solid permanent housing lead. Much of this may be able to be met by donations as well. I will later post a list of items that we need.

By the time we get to goal 4, personal goals for the family will have been reached and by this point we hope they will be financially able to sustain rent, bills etc. If we don't get to goal 4, or any other goal, for that matter, I will update this go fund me accordingly.

Also, if anyone wants to get on board with us and help that would be great. Transportation is a real issue and one reason we have to be strategic about housing. But yes, we would love some help getting this family around until a car is obtained.

Right now, goals 1-2 are URGENT.

Goal 3 would be nice to have by the middle of February

Goal 4 is a 6-8 weeks down the line.

So the hard part is, I cannot give out much more info than this publicly. However, for anyone that donates, I will be regularly communicating regarding the progress. I am happy to share receipts of every item that is purchased as well. I won't be communicating on this live platform though. I will set up a separate email chain and blind copy people in. What I will be able to discuss will be limited, but I want full transparency regarding the funds.

I want you all to know that the family we are working with has guidelines line in place. If any of the agreements are violated, or there is not sufficient progress, we will be pulling out and any unspent monies will be refunded. I don't know if the fees associated with donations are refundable, but if they are not, and you need your 2.9% fee back, we will get it to you.

Here is the go fund me link regarding returned donations: https://support.gofundme.com/hc/en-us/articles/203604214-Refunding-your-donors

This is really the best I can do in asking for immense help for a tragic situation that has full potential to turn around with your help. I am sorry that I cannot disclose more, but I promise you that you Ben and I will use every penny that comes in for this situation. As noted, whomever donates will be part of a private group in which I will share what has been spent. And for items purchased on marketplace, I will only be able to screenshot what I purchase, and can also share any venmo transactions with donors. Also, we have asked a couple that we go to church with to hold us accountable and we will be sharing donations and purchases with them.

This is a very real situation and a very real way to be a part of something that can change a families life.

Trust me, I get situations like this can go up in smoke, which is often why people don't give. So with that, I am asking you to ask God if you should give. If you know that He is laying it on your heart go give, than really, it is about being obedient regardless of the outcome. Even for me, I am like...wow...this could turn into a hot mess, but I know that today he is asking me to help. And you might ask God about it, and he might say "no". Guess what, you need to be obedient to that as well. Your personal obedience has to direct you, not the need or the situation.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. " James 1:27

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