For the past eight years, I’ve been doing everything I can to take care of my daughter. I’ve always found a way to make things work, even when they were far from easy. But right now, I’m at a loss.

 We’ve only had our car for about two years. I didn’t grow up with a car, so having one felt like a huge step forward — a sign that things were finally coming together. We were also recently blessed with a home after experiencing homelessness for five years. Just when it felt like stability was finally within reach, another obstacle appeared.

 I am a single mother facing the very real possibility of my car being repossessed. Our car isn’t a luxury — it’s our lifeline. It gets me to work, gets my daughter to school, therapy, and sports, and allows us to function day to day. Without it, our routine — and her well-being — would be in serious jeopardy.

 One of the hardest parts of our situation is childcare. My daughter gets out of school at 1:45 p.m., and I’ve been on the childcare voucher waitlist for over two years. Paying fully out of pocket isn’t possible. Because of this, I can’t work full-time hours, even though I want to. We also don’t receive child support. Her father doesn’t maintain steady employment and has been in and out of jail, so the responsibility falls entirely on me.

I try to fill the gaps by doing Instacart while my daughter is in school, but it isn’t stable income. I live in Massachusetts, and as a newer driver, my car insurance is higher than my actual car payment. Many months, I’m forced to choose which bill gets paid first — insurance or the car itself — and that choice has finally caught up to me.

 I bought this car at a time when I truly believed I could manage it financially. I earned my Associate’s degree in 2020, right as COVID hit. Shortly after, I lost my job due to being out sick with COVID. I later began working as a science teacher at my daughter’s school, but the school eventually closed. Since then, I’ve struggled to find a full-time position that offers the flexibility my situation requires. I spent months waiting for unemployment benefits, and by the time they finally came through, I was already behind.

Now, more than a year and a half later, I’m still trying to stay afloat while being underemployed and managing new household expenses that came with finally having a home. I’ve tried to handle this on my own for as long as possible. Asking for help doesn’t come easily to me. But right now, I’m asking because this support would truly help us stay on our feet.

 If you’re able to donate, share, or simply pass this along, it would mean more than I can express. Even small amounts add up, and kindness travels farther than people realize. Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for any help you’re able to give.