My name is Mindi and I am writing on behalf of my dear friend, Asha, a single mother in a desperate situation. Asha is the full-time caregiver of her 7-year-old son, Mason, who has autism, sensory processing disorder, and significant speech delays. Mason requires constant support and a stable, familiar environment to manage his daily challenges.

Due to the severity of Mason’s needs, Asha has been forced to miss work frequently to care for him and attend necessary therapy appointments. She has no support from Mason’s father or any extended family, and she is carrying the full burden of his care alone.

Due to Asha having to miss work to tend to Mason, she is now behind on rent and facing imminent eviction. Despite working when she can, she does not earn enough to cover basic living expenses plus all the added fees for being late. She has reached out to every local and state program, including charities and churches, only to be turned away either because she is technically employed or because funds have already run out.

At this point, Asha is preparing to sell all of her belongings and take Mason to a shelter. As a mother and friend, it breaks my heart to watch her face this reality. A shelter is a traumatic environment for any child—but especially for one with autism and sensory sensitivities. The disruption, noise, and unpredictability could cause serious emotional harm and regression for Mason.

Asha is a hardworking, devoted mother who simply needs help getting caught up. She has finally acquired employment where she can work from home and be with her son. But she needs help getting caught up so that she can stay at home and not go to a shelter with him. I humbly ask everyone out there, my friends and family, to donate a dollar. If you can do more, fantastic, but we need to get this girl $1,000 in the next couple of days or she and Mason are going to a shelter. Then she will lose her new job and everything she has. $1,000 will help her get back ahead where she needs to be so that she can maintain.

Thank you for your time, compassion, and any support you may be able to offer.