Since November 2023, our world has been in survival mode. My position in software engineering was eliminated, and what followed has been a nonstop search for work in one of the hardest markets this industry has ever seen. Every severance dollar, every retirement account, every bit of savings we had, gone just keeping bills paid and food on the table.

We’ve borrowed from family, sold what we could, and leaned on SNAP and Medicaid to scrape by. Our house has been in forbearance for six months and might not be extended any further. Utilities are weeks from being cut off. Our only car is on the brink of repossession, and selling it would leave us stranded. Storms this spring damaged our roof beyond repair, but we can’t afford the deductible to even get it fixed.

Worst of all, our daughter turns 10 in mid July, and we don’t have anything for her. No party. No presents. Just the hope we can keep her safe, fed, and sheltered.

I have a few job opportunities in process, but even if one lands tomorrow, the first check may come too late to stop the lights from going out.

We don’t like asking for help, but right now, we have no other option. Every dollar helps. Anything you can give means the world to us. We just need enough money to prevent our world from completely collapsing until steady employment finally happens again.

Thank you for reading and helping any way you can.