Hi!

My name is Brittany. I am a full-spectrum Doula and Lactation Counselor in the DMV area and a single mom of two. For the last few months, my children and I have been living in a motel. I am asking for your help to get us to stability.

How Did We Get Here?

My family and I were looking forward to a fresh start in a new city once our lease ended in January of this year. That optimism began to wane when I learned that I would not be able to secure housing for us before our lease ended due to "poor rental history". I was late on my rent the previous summer and resolved my balance through rent assistance and crowdfunding. However, the assistance agency wouldn't and didn't help until I had an eviction date scheduled- almost 3 months later. Although I was not evicted, the property continued to file against me in court in the meantime.

With this stain on my record, despite my financial situation turning around, I was not able to secure housing. As a last (and what seemed to be budget-friendly) resort, I decided to move my family into a motel while I figured things out. To save money, I rented a U-Haul, and with the help of my boys, packed up the house and moved our belongings to storage. After about 4 days, we were finally done and moved into the motel. Within the week, we had to move rooms twice; one of those times in freezing temperatures, the ground covered in ice.

It took us a couple of weeks to finally get "settled" and recover from such a grueling move. In the meantime, I was and still am parenting my children solo, navigating ADHD unmedicated, homeschooling, making homemade meals, doing my best to keep them entertained on a TIGHT budget, trying to remember to take my crazy pills, applying for jobs, and supporting clients and students in my CBE classes.

Predatory Room Fees

As of March 17th, I'd paid $5,600.00 in room fees. I was informed by the front desk receptionist to pay weekly to prevent a financial loss if I leave before my reservation ends. This fee includes occupancy and daily pet fees. Breakfast is not served here, and the room is neither luxurious nor spacious. We are all sharing a space the size of perhaps a large bedroom. Today (3/24), I was informed that my weekly rate is now $756.00, and I do not know how I will cover the rest of my reservation or move at this rate.

I planned to be in our own home by now, but aside from the unresponsiveness of the real estate agent I had been working with, my car has now been in the shop for the last 4 weeks, which has halted my independent search for a home. As of today, March 24th, the work has still not been completed on my vehicle, and after the $2000+ that I've paid over the last few weeks in room fees alone, I no longer have the funds to cover the $1,956.00 I was quoted to get my car out of the shop once it is ready. As a doula and a mom, having reliable transportation is necessary.

(FYI- I have called 211 and reached out for government assistance, they no longer provide motel vouchers and will not help with costs. Section 8 is closed, and has been for years. Many assistance programs are closed because the waitlists are too long.)

How Your Donation Will Help

Your donation will help to cover:

• Transportation Fees- Uber and vehicle repair
• Room Fees
• Moving Costs
• Groceries
• Needs for my children - Clothing, entertainment, food

We received some help after a mutual aid request via social media, which helped to cover our stay for one week, groceries, and laundry. However, donations quickly dwindled.

I am just a human being doing my best to survive without a village. Thank you so much for reading. Please donate if you can, send well wishes, and share my GFM. Even if you do not have the resources to help, others do. Please keep sharing.

For those who prefer to send payments personally:

CA- $RespectALLBlackWomen

Paypal- BrittanyLM

Venmo-Brittany1208

-Britt