Mission of Mercy for 2 Grandsons
Donation protected
I have been raising my 2 grandsons (12,10) full time as a single grandfather since June 2016. The boys have ADHD and several psychological disorders from previous years of mistreatment and neglect. I have provided them with a stable, healthy environment and lifestyle and thankfully the boys have made great progress from solid routines, regular medical care, nurturing and guidance from both a very talented and compassionate nanny and me. Their elementary school has noted a night and day difference in both their daily behavior and academic performance. Eddie (6th grade) and Andrew (5th) have gone from disciplinary problem children to honor roll, perfect attendance, and vastly improved social skills.
This mission of mercy to help these 2 innocent boys find their way in the world has been incredibly worthwhile but has come at a great personal cost and sacrifice. I was in between full time jobs when it became necessary for the boys to live with me. I had to move from a small apt to a small 3 bedroom home (renting) near their school to provide much needed safety and stability. I will be 60 in May and have a BS in Business and many years of experience in accounting, sales operations, and financial analysis in high tech and manufacturing but have found the Austin full time job market a tough nut to crack for a person of my generation. I have done project assignments through contracting agencies, seasonal tax work, small business bookkeeping, and have signed up for ride share, meal delivery, and tutoring opportunities to generate much needed cash flow. I have been in some form of deficit spending for most of the 29 months of this mission. My reserves, retirement savings, and available credit is either gone or maxed out. The boys' birth parents are not capable of or are unwilling to provide child support. State agencies have put previous financial assistance on hold (food stamps, Medicaid, utility aid) until I can prove that my bills are paid and that I am not hiding income. My family members have several special needs children and are not in a position to help. The inheritance from my parents' estate and a car accident settlement funds were exhausted in 2017. I have sold items locally, cashed in credit card rewards, and borrowed against the last available cash value of a variable life insurance policy to keep the lights on so far this month. I worked 2 full time short term projects in June-July and Aug-Sept but I have only had part time income since then. I earned some fees in Oct doing amended tax returns, but I am really up against it financially in the short term.
My current income level is about $2,000 monthly against minimum expenses of $4,500 to provide a home for Eddie, Andrew, and me. I am seeking a timely total donation of $1,500 - $2,000 to catch up on past due living expenses until I can get back on top financially with contract project work, seasonal income, restored state benefits, and (eventually) full time income. I have been applying with recruiters, Linked In contacts, and postings from Indeed and TX state agencies. In addition to basic food, clothing and shelter the funds will help the boys continue in speech, behavioral, and family therapies, as well as activities (YMCA currently) that have helped them develop as better siblings, students, and citizens. I am the last house on the street for Eddie and Andrew; they were looking at foster care if I did not take on this mission. The demands and challenges to teach these boys fundamentals they were lacking have been many and extraordinary, but I am thankful to be there for them in this time of great need.
It is humbling to ask for help in this circumstance - sometimes you don't get to choose the chapter of life you're in or the collective situation you are experiencing. I am grateful and honored by any thoughtfulness and consideration that you can extend to our family unit in this difficult chapter. You can be a part of what should prove to be a great story of salvation and redemption for my grandsons - thank you very much and God bless you and your loved ones!
Sincerely,
Papa John G.
This mission of mercy to help these 2 innocent boys find their way in the world has been incredibly worthwhile but has come at a great personal cost and sacrifice. I was in between full time jobs when it became necessary for the boys to live with me. I had to move from a small apt to a small 3 bedroom home (renting) near their school to provide much needed safety and stability. I will be 60 in May and have a BS in Business and many years of experience in accounting, sales operations, and financial analysis in high tech and manufacturing but have found the Austin full time job market a tough nut to crack for a person of my generation. I have done project assignments through contracting agencies, seasonal tax work, small business bookkeeping, and have signed up for ride share, meal delivery, and tutoring opportunities to generate much needed cash flow. I have been in some form of deficit spending for most of the 29 months of this mission. My reserves, retirement savings, and available credit is either gone or maxed out. The boys' birth parents are not capable of or are unwilling to provide child support. State agencies have put previous financial assistance on hold (food stamps, Medicaid, utility aid) until I can prove that my bills are paid and that I am not hiding income. My family members have several special needs children and are not in a position to help. The inheritance from my parents' estate and a car accident settlement funds were exhausted in 2017. I have sold items locally, cashed in credit card rewards, and borrowed against the last available cash value of a variable life insurance policy to keep the lights on so far this month. I worked 2 full time short term projects in June-July and Aug-Sept but I have only had part time income since then. I earned some fees in Oct doing amended tax returns, but I am really up against it financially in the short term.
My current income level is about $2,000 monthly against minimum expenses of $4,500 to provide a home for Eddie, Andrew, and me. I am seeking a timely total donation of $1,500 - $2,000 to catch up on past due living expenses until I can get back on top financially with contract project work, seasonal income, restored state benefits, and (eventually) full time income. I have been applying with recruiters, Linked In contacts, and postings from Indeed and TX state agencies. In addition to basic food, clothing and shelter the funds will help the boys continue in speech, behavioral, and family therapies, as well as activities (YMCA currently) that have helped them develop as better siblings, students, and citizens. I am the last house on the street for Eddie and Andrew; they were looking at foster care if I did not take on this mission. The demands and challenges to teach these boys fundamentals they were lacking have been many and extraordinary, but I am thankful to be there for them in this time of great need.
It is humbling to ask for help in this circumstance - sometimes you don't get to choose the chapter of life you're in or the collective situation you are experiencing. I am grateful and honored by any thoughtfulness and consideration that you can extend to our family unit in this difficult chapter. You can be a part of what should prove to be a great story of salvation and redemption for my grandsons - thank you very much and God bless you and your loved ones!
Sincerely,
Papa John G.
Organizer
John Gallagher
Organizer
Round Rock, TX
