“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1

Please take a moment to read her story below. ❤️

My name is Tracy Valente, and I never thought I would find myself having to ask strangers, friends, family, and my community for help. We Lost Everything. Please Help My Son and Me Find Our Way Home Again.

Hurricane Lowell changed our lives in a matter of hours.

My son and I live together in Kauaʻi, and the home we knew, loved, and built our lives around has been devastated. Our entire roof was torn away, and our home and the things inside it have been left destroyed.

There are moments when you don’t realize how much “home” means until you no longer have one.

I look around and see the place where we made memories, where we laughed, where we slept, where we ate meals together, where we felt safe—and now so much of it is gone.

Our belongings, our necessities, the things we spent years collecting and the things that made our house feel like our home were damaged or lost.

But what hurts the most isn’t the things.

It’s the feeling of having our sense of safety taken away.

My son and I are now facing something I never imagined we would have to face: figuring out how to rebuild our lives when we have lost so much.

I wish I could say that we have everything under control. I wish I could say that we have enough to repair our home and replace everything we lost.

The truth is, we don’t.

And that’s why I’m putting my pride aside and reaching out for help.

Our goal is $25,000. This money will help us find safe shelter, cover emergency needs, begin repairing and rebuilding our home, and replace the necessities we lost.

I know $25,000 sounds like a lot.

But if hundreds of people gave just a little, we could get there together.

A $5 donation matters.

A $10 donation matters.

A $20 donation matters.

A $50 donation matters.

Every single dollar is a step toward giving my son and me a safe place to call home again.

And if you cannot donate, please don’t feel bad. Sharing this fundraiser is also a gift. Please share it with your family, your friends, your coworkers, your church, your community—anyone who might be willing to help.

I never expected to have to tell my story this way.

I never expected to look at my home and wonder how we were going to put it back together.

I never expected that a hurricane could take away so much so quickly.

But I also know something about the people of Hawaiʻi and the meaning of ʻohana:

When one of us is hurting, we don’t leave them behind.

So today, my son and I are reaching out with humble hearts and asking for a helping hand.

We don’t need anyone to give us everything.

We just need enough people to give what they can.

Help us replace what was lost.

Help us repair what was destroyed.

Help us find safety again.

Help us rebuild not only our home, but our lives.

One day, I hope we can look back at this heartbreaking chapter and say, “We made it through.”

And when that day comes, I will remember every person who helped us get there.

From the deepest place in my heart, mahalo nui loa to everyone who donates, shares, prays for us, checks on us, or simply takes the time to read our story.

Your kindness may be the reason my son and I are able to have a home again.

With love, gratitude, and hope,

Tracy & Oshenn

Please help us get home again.