On January 29th, 2019, my world changed forever when I received the devastating news that my 16-year-old son had taken his own life. The pain and grief sent me into a deep depression, and I turned to drugs to cope. I lost my apartment, my sense of hope, and tried to end my life multiple times. For almost five years, I was homeless—living in encampments, sleeping on sidewalks and under bridges, and surviving four harsh winters outside in Portland, Maine.

But on December 3rd, 2024, I reached a turning point. I decided I wanted to live again. Since that day, I have been sober, and I am proud to say that I have worked hard to rebuild my life. Alongside another woman who has also completed her recovery journey, we spent 16 months in sober living, supporting each other and setting a goal to move forward once we finished our program.

Now, we are finally ready to start fresh in our own apartment. We are starting from scratch and need help with living room and bedroom furniture, kitchen appliances, and bathroom essentials. Any support you can offer will help us create a safe, stable home as we continue our journey of healing and hope. Thank you for considering a helping hand to two women who have beaten the odds and are determined to turn their lives around.