Hi, my name is Samantha, and I am a single mother to a beautiful 9-year-old little girl.
Life has not been easy for us. The cards we were dealt have been heavy, and for many years I have lived in constant survival mode — doing whatever I could to get through each day and make sure my daughter was safe, cared for, and loved.
By the grace of God, we are finally stepping into what has been the most stable year of our lives since my daughter was born. I am deeply grateful for how far we have come. At the same time, one major barrier continues to affect nearly every part of our daily life: we do not have access to a reliable vehicle.
Getting my daughter and myself around for groceries, counselling appointments, medical visits, and school-related needs has been extremely difficult. Public transportation in our area is unreliable and often overwhelmed, and taxis are very costly and typically very time delayed — even a five-minute trip can cost $30 or more. These costs add up quickly, especially when it comes to basic necessities like groceries or unexpected school calls.
One of my biggest worries is that if my daughter needs to be picked up from school unexpectedly, I may not have a reliable way to get to her. That fear weighs on me daily.
Due to past circumstances and a lack of financial education earlier in life, I now face credit challenges that prevent me from obtaining vehicle financing without a large down payment or a co-signer — neither of which I have access to — despite having the income and ability to maintain monthly expenses. I have worked hard to improve my financial literacy and stability, but without a vehicle, I feel stuck.
Access to a car would be life-changing for us. It would allow me to:
- Safely and reliably transport my daughter to her appointments
- Attend my own medical and counselling appointments
- Reduce ongoing transportation costs
- Improve employment opportunities and maintain work
- Regain a sense of independence and security for my family
I have my full G license and am able to obtain insurance. I am not asking for luxury — simply for reliable transportation so my daughter and I can continue moving forward and build upwards in life.
I know this is a big ask, and even sharing this is difficult. But I believe in trying, and I am asking for help with the utmost humility and gratitude. Any contribution, share, or kind word means more than I can express.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story.
God bless you.
Organizer
