A few months back I met a family new to the area who were working to get their bearings. They were in my neighborhood look for a school that was 2 miles away. They were lost and tired and had their hands full with a 1yr old, 4yr old, 10 and 16 year old accompanied by their mother. It was too far to walk so I gave them a ride.

On the way to school we realized that our son's were both in the same class. I offered to have him over one day after school. They were overjoyed with excitement and surprise. She shared how he’d never been invited to someone's home before and never had a friend. Where they lived in NY, the schools were dangerous with gang violence her son never had the chance to make friends. 

After dropping them off at school we talked for a bit. She told some of their story and the abuse they were escaping from. She shared how through 3 plane rides, 2 bus rides and multiple fearful hotel experiences over a couple months time they finally made it to San Diego. They came here with nothing, knowing no one.

In her plans to build a new life, one of her first steps was to get a car in order to drive the kids to school and have transportation for employment. The bus system in this area is limited in its reach with a limited schedule. She met an older couple through church who offered what seemed like a great deal for a car they no longer needed. They made arrangements and relief came in the way of transportation any time they wanted.

This feeling was short-lived. After just a couple days, something seemed wrong. The car was bucking and suddenly felt very dangerous. A local shop took a look and gave her the unfortunate news that the cost to repair it was well over what she paid for it. It was a total loss. She spent her last dollar on that car and the sellers would not respond to her calls.

This Gofundme is to help replace the money she lost and to help their family get another vehicle. Any extra money raised will go towards registration fees and some gas cards.