When we first met the Sanchez family, we thought we were simply helping them see the option of selling their home. My partner, Adela, and I are real estate agents, and Salvador reached out to us after the City told them they would have to tear down several rooms on their property because they were built without permits.

But the more time we spent with this family, the more we realized this wasn't just about selling their home. It became personal.

The Sanchez family didn't build those rooms to make money or take advantage of anything. They built them because they had no other choice. Every room was created out of love and necessity, to make space for family who needed them the most.

They are raising their grandchildren after losing one of their daughters. They are also caring for another daughter who lives with a disability and depends on them every single day. Even with everything life has thrown at them, they continue to put their family first.

What hurts the most is knowing that Salvador and Amalia are at a stage in life where they should be slowing down. They should be thinking about retirement, spending time with their family, and enjoying the years they've worked so hard for, not worrying about how they'll afford another bill or whether they'll lose the home they've built their lives around.

Instead, Amalia continues carrying the financial burden of the household, while Salvador takes whatever odd jobs he can despite his declining health. They have little to no savings, and much of the support that has helped keep the family afloat comes from another daughter who is courageously battling terminal cancer. The thought that this support may not be there much longer is a reality no family should have to face.

Now, on top of everything else, they're being asked to pay for demolition, permits, and costly repairs just to keep their home. They aren't refusing to work with the City, they're trying. But it's incredibly difficult when you're older, struggling financially, caring for loved ones, and simply trying to survive one day at a time.

I've met a lot of families through my work, but this one has stayed with me. They are kind, humble, hardworking people who have spent their lives taking care of everyone else. They aren't asking for luxury. They just want the chance to stay together in the home they've built their lives around.

That's why Adela and I are asking for your help.

Every donation, no matter the amount, will go toward the demolition and permit costs required by the City, necessary repairs to bring their home up to code, everyday living expenses, and helping this family stay together during one of the hardest chapters of their lives.

If you're able to give, thank you. If you can't, simply sharing their story could make all the difference.

From the bottom of our heart, thank you for taking the time to read their story and for helping us give the Sanchez family hope when they need it most.