I never imagined I’d be in a position where I’d need to ask for help, but right now, it’s just me and my son trying to start over. We recently returned to Iowa from Denver, hoping for a fresh start and a wholesome reunion between my son and his father. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. The situation quickly turned into a domestic violence emergency, and we had to leave our apartment in a rush. We barely had time to grab anything—no shoes, clothes, hygiene items, or even our important paperwork.

Since coming back to Iowa, I’ve been trying to piece things together for us. I’m currently unemployed because of everything that happened, and I don’t have a vehicle of my own. Right now, I’m trying to find a way to get back to Denver to retrieve our belongings, or at least earn enough to rent a U-Haul and cover the basics we lost. Every day is a challenge, but I’m determined to do whatever it takes to keep my son safe and get us back on our feet.

I am not normally the type to ask for help or even accept it, so reaching out like this is a big knot in my gut. But I know I can’t do this alone. Any support you can offer—whether it’s a donation or simply sharing our story—means the world to us. I will be beyond grateful to anyone who can help me and my son get our things and start rebuilding our lives.