My three children and I lost everything in a sudden apartment fire. The chief fire marshal has deemed our home uninhabitable, and we’ve been forced to start over from scratch. As a single mom, I’ve always worked hard to provide for my family, but this accident has left us with nothing—no beds, no clothes, no toys, and nowhere to call home. My kids are feeling scared and anxious, and I’m doing my best to stay strong for them, even though I feel overwhelmed and defeated.

Each of my children has their own unique spark. My oldest daughter is creative and loves anything arts and crafts—painting, drawing, and tie-dye bring her joy. My son dreams of being a gamer and loves building things, board games, and anything related to video games. My youngest is my girly girl, happiest when painting her nails, dressing up, or playing with anything Stitch-themed. Seeing them lose the things that help them express themselves has been heartbreaking.

Our most urgent needs are finding a safe place to stay and getting enough support to relocate as soon as possible. Clothes and shoes for the kids are a top priority. Once we move, we’ll need to buy beds, bedding, kitchen essentials, and living room basics to rebuild our home. Asking for help is not easy for me, but I know I can’t do this alone. Any support will help us rebuild and give my children a sense of security and hope as we start over.