On Saturday, August 9th, record-breaking rainfall hit the Milwaukee, WI area, turning streets into rivers and overwhelming homes across the city.
Our friend and colleague, Sima, along with her husband Ivan and their daughter Teja, live in West Allis, WI — one of the communities hit hardest by the storm. Within hours, water rushed into their basement and kept rising until it reached the ceiling. In the middle of the night, they were forced to evacuate, leaving everything behind, unsure how high the water would climb.
Everything in the basement — boiler, central air conditioning, water heater, electrical wiring, furniture, appliances, personal belongings, family keepsakes — was destroyed. The damage is extensive, and the cleanup alone will be a huge undertaking, not to mention repairs, replacement of essentials, and the emotional toll of losing so much. Insurance is not covering any of their loss as it was deemed flood-damaged. Sima does not have flood insurance as her home was not in a flood area.
Sima is someone who always shows up for others. She is the kind of person who lends a hand without being asked in her community, offers words of encouragement when you need them most, and brings warmth and positivity into every room she's in.
Now, it's our turn to show up for her.
We're raising funds to help cover:
- Professional cleanup and restoration costs
- Replacement of essential items lost in the flood
- Temporary housing for the family
- Repairs to make their home safe and livable again
No donation is too small. Every contribution, every share, and every kind word will help Sima and her family get through this difficult time.
Let's come together to help them rebuild their home — and their sense of normalcy.
Please consider donating and sharing this page with your network.