As emergencies typically go- the illusion of control has humbled me. My life has completely flipped over on its head within a minuscule amount of time. I am finding myself staring down the nearly impossible task of finding safe housing for my son, mother, and I to move into before January 1st. Without sharing more personal details than I’m comfortable with currently- I will admit it is of great importance for our safety and security to change homes, schooling, and lives immediately. My mother is disabled and getting minimal support from the government despite her exhausting relentless pursuit of the help she needs and deserves. Turns out “the system” is built in a way to keep as many people in actual need in constant battle for the bare minimum of what the system says is available, even when all eligibility requirements are met.

My son, who is a summation of all the best parts of the best people we know, is relying on me to provide him safety, health, and happiness. A level of happiness only possible by our sheer determination and stubbornness to see the beauty in the world no matter what.

I am in college, working full time, a single mother, and now caretaker of my mother as well.

1 week ago my son and I lived seemingly stable lives.

Shit hit the fan and now we are homeless as of Christmas Eve.

We are spending our Christmas couch surfing, as I juggle the newfound trauma I’ve experienced, seeking out an embarrassing amount of help, and home hunting with our extremely limited budget and even more extremely limited timeline.

We need help. I need help.

I need to be able to afford moving expenses that will cost roughly $300.

I need to be able to afford the costs of applying, deposits, and myself covering the rent alone for the first 3 months of living until my mothers social security can finally kick in and help. I can afford 70% of these costs using credit and my income.

That leaves me roughly $2k short until my mother’s SS can help pay for rent.

Food would be nice. There’s local food banks I am familiar with but there’s so many other people in need right now that I am struggling with feeling okay taking those resources from others.

We will need furniture because my mom has none, and it would be really nice to get her into a real bed for the first time in years. Living in an rv can cause some uncomfy conditions.

And there’s a lot of costs associated with stating over that I’ve definitely not even considered yet.

Essentially, it will now be me as the main income for two adults and one child. Literally any financial help will go a very long way.

But also, it’s not just about me. I’m doing this for my son, and my mom.

I don’t know what else to say that could convey how devastated I am to be in this position or how humbled I am by the thought of even asking for anything from others when I know it’s the most expensive time of the year.

Please donate if you can. If you can’t, please hug your loved ones and understand most of us really are just 1 paycheck or emergency from homelessness.