**To everyone whom have supported us: Thank You, thank you. Truly, YOUR generosity means more than words and heart can express.**

Here’s Our Continued Story:

My name is Zee & Marie is my Mom

For more than 40 years, my life and career were built around helping people. I worked in retail sales and customer service, personally styling clients, and eventually growing into management and leadership roles in luxury retail. My passion has always been creating positive experiences for others—helping someone feel confident in what they wear, mentoring teams, and building meaningful connections with customers who often became colleagues, friends, and eventually family.

But life has a way of redirecting us when family needs us the most.

Over the past year, my role in life has changed dramatically. My mother’s health has declined due to a combination of dementia, bipolar disorder, and complications following a stroke. As her only child and primary support system, I made the difficult but deeply personal decision to step away from my long career and become her full-time caregiver/care provider.

Anyone who has cared for a parent with dementia or any serious mental health challenges knows how overwhelming it can be. Some days are filled with small victories—moments where she recognizes me, smiles, or remembers a story from years ago. Other days are much harder. There are nights of little sleep, constant vigilance, and the emotional weight of watching someone you love slowly change.

My mom sometimes becomes disoriented and wanders, which means I must always be close by to ensure her safety. The responsibility is constant, but it’s also something I accept with love, compassion, and a new level of patience. She spent her life caring, supporting, and watching over me through my life challenges. Now it’s my turn to care for her.

Transitioning from a full-time management career to caregiving has also meant a significant loss of income. While I am working to become her official caregiver provider through assistance programs in Contra Costa County, the process takes time, and the financial reality of day-to-day living has become extremely challenging.

This is why, Marie and I, are humbly asking for your help.

Your support will go toward essential expenses such as:

• Food and household necessities

• Rent and utilities

• Medical-related costs for my mom

• Transportation and caregiving supplies

• Basic stability while I continue providing full-time care through the county.

Caregiving can be isolating, especially when navigating dementia and mental health conditions. But it is also one of the most compassionate things a person can do for someone they love and an important second chance.

If you’ve ever had a parent, grandparent, or loved one struggle with dementia, stroke recovery, or mental illness, then you know how deeply this journey affects families. Any support—whether through a donation or simply sharing this page—would mean more to us than I can express.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for helping us during one of the most difficult yet meaningful chapters of our lives.

With our gratitude, deepest love, and endless thank you!!!

Zee Roa & Marie Roa