My name is Amber and I am raising money for two families in my neighborhood in Minnesota, where federal agents are terrorizing everyone, regardless of citizenship status.

The first family is a single mother, and her three children (high schooler, and two elementary school-aged kiddos) who have become very close friends with me and my son. When I was sick and unable to cook, she fed me and my son. When I've needed a last-minute sitter, she's cared for my son. When I needed support, she's provided a listening ear and hugs. Despite the family knowing no English, we've managed to build a strong bond of love and support. This single mama is terrified of what could happen to her family after she was forced to stop going to work out of fear of being kidnapped. They currently have no income and their monthly rent of $1,600/month will be due in just a few short weeks. They are all feeling very unsafe and have not left their home in weeks. The children have stopped attending school in-person and are now doing virtual learning.

A friend of theirs and I have been helping to pay for and drop off groceries for them during this time, but I am also a single mother. Funds are tight and I cannot afford to keep doing this on my own (or with one-time donations). I also cannot afford to cover their rent in any capacity as I can barely afford my own mortgage.

The second family I am helping is a mother, her twin daughter/son, and her infant. The twins attend the same school my son goes to and we've been providing private transportation for them to and from school so mom doesn't have to leave home and they don't have to risk their safety to ride the bus. Thankfully, the kiddos will be doing virtual learning as of next week, so transportation is no longer an issue, but they are also in desperate need of groceries, as well as rent money.

I am hoping to raise enough funds to get each of these families through the next couple of months of uncertainty while the federal government continues its occupation of Minnesota. Your donations will go towards their rent, groceries, utilities, health expenses, and more due to lost wages.

Whatever money is left over will be used to donate meals/drinks to educators who are taking on a heavy lift to switch to virtual learning, and to parent volunteers who are patrolling neighborhoods around schools to ensure our kids receive safe transport to and from their place of learning.

This is a direct way to impact two families near and dear to my heart. Remember, we are stronger together!