Novato Mom & Daughter In Need - Displaced by Fire

Hi. My name is Jen Jayme and I serve as President of the PTA at San Jose Middle School in Novato. I'm creating this GoFundMe page on behalf of a lovely mother and daughter who need some emergency help for just a few weeks.

The single mom, an immigrant from Peru, works hard to make ends meet with her job at a gas station, getting herself and daughter to and from work and school without a car every day. She's a wonderful mother and although things are tight, she always strives to get her daughter opportunities to participate in after-school programs, tutoring and fun activities, and volunteers at the school whenever she can. The daughter is bright, kind and charming. These are truly good hard-working people.

On the eve of the girls' birthday, they were suddenly left homeless due to a fire in their apartment. Without family in the area, they are now staying in a hotel for a few days. They don't have the means to pay for a hotel for the 3 weeks it will take to repair their home - the hotel cost is over $3000. Their clothes were all smoke-damaged. Money is tight, and the experience of displacement is traumatic. Mom is reaching out to every community resource to secure housing, help and rides to and from school and work for her daughter between continuing to work her shifts at the gas station, but not yet sure where they will stay in a few days.

One thing is certain: They need cash for food and lodging expenses. A little bit of cash will minimize the trauma of the situation. Once the apartment is repaired, they can move back in. I am contributing personally, giving them rides and meals, and working with the school.

This GoFundMe is to invite and urge others in our community to contribute whatever you can to help this deserving single mom and her daughter get through this difficult moment with a roof over their heads. Every little bit counts. Please help.

The picture is a stock image, and names are omitted to protect their anonymity. As PTA president and a longtime nonprofit leader, I can guarantee that every cent contributed will go directly to help this family as described. Thank you for anything you can do.