Keep Star and Her Kids in Their Home

My name is Ashley McGee. I'm a resident of East Austin and I'm raising funds for our neighbor, Ester "Star" Cervantes, who, along with her seven kids, is in danger of becoming unhoused.

We're asking for $8,000 to keep Star and the kids in their housing. Star is behind on rent, and owe $2,995.33 on or before December 26, 2024. The additional $5,000 will go towards clothing and food for the kids and Star as well as any child care she needs to keep her job.

I first found out about Star's situation in the Buy Nothing Project for St. Johns/Coronado & University Hills/Windsor Park of Austin. Star has spent years fighting CPS to retain custody of her children while she struggles to keep a roof over their heads. Star has seven kids. According to Star, CPS has tried to retain her kids almost as soon as they left her body. She fought hard, keeping custody (as only a mother should). At one point, Star took her kids and her partner to Nebraska, as CPS was certain she should not keep her kids. They stayed with her partner's mother until they had to leave. They came to Texas, where they lived with Star's grandmother until that too didn't work anymore. At another point, Star's best friend let them have her apartment until the place's leasing office found out, and as one might expect, forced them to leave. Each time, Star has started over from scratch. Then, her partner was incarcerated. They had been taking turns working, but now Star's temporary job is the only thing keeping them afloat, and it's not enough.

"Now I'm stuck in a position where I feel I can't get out of it. It's hard to just have anyone watch them (the kids) or to find a job that suits everyone that will be able to help me watch them. There's never a break.

When it comes to this situation, I got a notice at my door saying I have until the 26th or they will fill out the eviction notice for me to go to court. I'm trying but nobody sees me trying because nobody sees what I have to go through on a daily just to keep my kids safe or just to have food on the table, or anything like that. I really want to just be here. People are already threatening to call CPS. I'm actually trying to figure my way out but end up and the same hole all over again. It's tough to even have patience. My 9 year old is going through his own little phases on why is dad is in jail again but I try to comfort all of my children in the best way possible.

Please help us keep our apartment."

Regardless of circumstances, mother should never be separated from her children. If she is able to work, willing to work, and her children are loved, forcing children to go unhoused, or taking them from their mother, is not the answer. We're not here to judge the people and circumstances that put Star and her kids where they are. The point of this GoFundMe is to keep Star and her family in safe, clean, secure housing so that Star can get on with her life and give her kids the life they deserve.

In this season of giving, and in the spirit of the figure whose coming foretold the end of suffering, please do whatever you can to help Star and her family.