Prevent Single Mother From Becoming Homeless

I am fundraising for a local Highland Park single mother at risk for homelessness. This person is a hard-working individual, juggling multiple jobs and single motherhood whilst finding time to contribute to/ volunteer for the community. A loving, caring mom and member of the community, she is also a beloved crossing guard.

This fundraiser is for her 4+ months plus of back rent and utilities, plus another 6 months of rent/ deposit so she can get back on her feet and start afresh. Here is her story in her own words:

“Hi there…. First of all, thank you for even starting to read this! I am seeking funds to prevent my son and me from going to a shelter.

In the past, due to clerical error, the response to my request for pandemic-related rental assistance was greatly delayed, and state funds had run out. I am currently over 4 months behind on rent plus many, many months behind on utilities.

Most noteworthy to my current situation are the following: a) The landlord has at this juncture already started official eviction proceedings. I am trying to receive legal assistance on this matter; b) The landlord recently committed an act of bullying/ vandalism by having my belongings that were stored in the outdoor storage shed thrown on the lawn. The damages to my business equipment and personal belongings are astronomical.

Although I was aiming to remaining in my current living situation, the violent act propels me to seek new housing. I have been considering moving to a shelter in another town that houses women & children, but I would prefer to avoid this. With history of disrupted development and upbringing because of family court, I am concerned about now disrupting my son’s schooling at Irving. So, I’m desperately trying to figure out what to do next/ what other options I might have.

The applications for state funding, grants, etc. and various venues/options for receiving assistance are multiple– an overwhelming array of choices. So far, most of the services require for homelessness/ entering a shelter to have actually already occurred. The multiple phone calls and applications have been time-consuming & futile. There is very little way to receive help to prevent things from going so far as to be forced to move into a shelter. Each application process is extremely time-consuming, making time management with work and single motherhood highly challenging… and there is no guarantee! I am told to call 211 or this number or that… and nothing pans out. In the end, even if I were to get a positive response (which I haven’t yet), nothing I endeavor is quite fast enough for me to play catch-up! I am trying to appease my extremely disgruntled landlord and his son. My landlord’s recent act set me behind greatly economically, schedule-wise, and psychologically/ emotionally. The truth is that I am greatly afraid that if I do not find the funds for catching up, that further retaliation from my landlord will occur.

One major challenge I face is that I do not fall into a specific category for receiving certain kinds of assistance. This had been critical to impeding my way out of this financial distress. I am currently in contact with an organization that may help me with an advocate/ case manager, something that may prove beneficial in the long-run but which cannot really do much for the immediate future of me and my boy. This advocate I hope for will not solve my current situation with pending homelessness. But I’m hoping he/she could help me manage the ongoing repercussions of domestic violence and legal abuse.

In the meantime, I’m still struggling… On top of it all, as Lyft/ Uber costs increase, I find myself in even further financial distress while trying to get to my part-time work in order to make ends meet.

Please help me even just by sending this to people that are in a better position to help! I greatly appreciate it!”

Upon request, local clergy can be provided to verify the situation. Thank you in advance for preventing a Highland Park single mother from experiencing homelessness with her son.

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