Hello, we're the Marfias: Don, Jazmin, Chad (7), and Damien (3). I apologize for the two-year-old photo, but we discovered that was the last family photo we've taken in our six years together (Jazmin and I have not been able to afford to go on a date in the same time). We became a family in 2018 while I was traveling as a grassroots political campaign manager, and Damien joined the family in March of 2021. Due to extreme complications with the pregnancy and childbirth, Jazmin has been disabled and all but bedridden since her pelvis split 18mm- rendering us to a permanent one-income household as she was denied disability for "being too young" and we have not had the funds or consistent insurance to afford physical therapy. My son Chad is seven but is unable to attend school and is being homeschooled as a result of an inner-ear developmental issue and the aforementioned financial and insurance difficulties making it impossible for us to afford a hearing aid.

The family moved from Grand Rapids, MI to Las Vegas, NV in 2022 attempting to move closer to Jazmin's friends and family- an act that completely drained all savings we had due to the nationwide housing crisis happening at the same time. Several months and jobs later, I landed my dream role as the west coast recruitment and training manager of a national firm- but it quickly turned into a nightmare. After eleven months, four separate promotions with accompanying responsibility increases, and two weeks later, I was suddenly and without warning downsized from the company after asking HR and my supervisors for a raise while simultaneously refusing yet another promotion without a pay increase. Which brings us to our current situation and the reason for this page:

Having been out of work since mid-April and living paycheck to paycheck for the two years prior leaves us with very little room for any kind of security. We've had to stop payments on our car to save money for basics, so I am unable to even donate plasma or make money on the side through the usual means (Uber/Instacart/etc.) Currently, we are facing an eviction (that we were not informed of until June 27th and are disputing with the court to give us more time) unless we can somehow raise at least $2,000 in the next few days. Overall, We are currently about $6,000 behind on catching up our bills that are necessary to maintain life and continue my job search (rent/gas/electric/internet/phones). Anything raised over the initial amount will be used to catch up on that remainder, and if by some miracle more is raised it will be used for long overdue medical and dentistry appointments for the family. We are waiting to hear back on housing assistance and it is unlikely we will get a caseworker or a response before the eviction finalizes, and our food stamps only cover about half of our monthly grocery bill (I have been sacrificing meals to ensure my growing boys are fed). The rest of the funds we have required to sustain ourselves (food and diapers/wipes) have come out of my unemployment, which is exactly the same amount as a month of rent causing us to fall further and further behind with additional fees tacked on top. Despite this, we can remove the eviction if we can raise the remainder of this month's rent/fees before July 1st, and several firms I have interviewed with have told me they would have available positions in early/mid July. Of the one-hundred and twenty-seven applications I have submitted, I have had 12 responses and 5 interviews... the job market is terrible but I finally have some promises coming.

We know that the economy is currently taking a toll on everyone and a lot of our friends and family are also suffering- it pains me deeply to even have to ask- but anything that you are able to give is immensely appreciated and will go a long way towards ensuring my babies are safely housed so I can continue to focus my efforts on finding employment. I love and appreciate all of you. Thank you for taking the time to read and share with those who might care.