Hello, my name is Heather, and I work with Salena and her family at Chi Wah Organica.

When times get tough, Salena is always the first to lend a hand—not just to me, but to anyone in need. Over the past year, Salena, her partner Paul, and their four children—Miles (20), Viola (12), Ophelia (9), and Freyja (2)—have faced one challenge after another.

In March, their lives were turned upside down by a traumatic event that led to a federal criminal case against a predator. In July, both of their cars were stolen in a single night—one was totaled, and the other was stolen, recovered, and stolen again in less than 24 hours. And now, just 48 hours ago, their home was flooded after a city water main broke and released two million gallons of water down their street.

These events have left the family financially strained and struggling. Despite working hard and trying to maintain some sense of normalcy for their children, they’ve been fighting to keep their heads above water—both literally and figuratively. I’ve seen firsthand the stress this has caused Salena and Paul. It’s difficult enough to juggle daily life and parenting young children, but navigating the aftermath of a flood is beyond overwhelming.

The flooding in their basement is not covered by homeowners insurance because it was caused by the City of Rochester’s negligence. The flood wiped out their new furnace, hot water heater, their washer and dryer, and all their personal belongings stored in the basement—children’s toys, artwork, winter gear, Paul’s tools, family heirlooms, and even their Christmas decorations. Most of their seasonal clothes and shoes are ruined, and the structure of their home is compromised as water poured in from every crack and crevice.

They now face the added costs of mold remediation and having their electrical system inspected for safety. The damage is devastating, and it’s even more heartbreaking because this could have been prevented if the city had acted sooner and turned off the water when they were first alerted.

To make matters worse, the family is not receiving any immediate aid from the city—not one person has come to assess the damage or offer support. Salena, Paul, and their children are displaced and staying separately with family until they can figure out how to get their home back in order.

I’m reaching out today to ask for any help you can offer to support them through this incredibly difficult time. They’re not only dealing with the fallout from the flood but also the continued struggle of losing one of their vehicles to theft four months ago. Right now, they only have one family vehicle and Paul’s work van, which is not suitable for transporting their younger children.

Any donation, no matter the amount, would be deeply appreciated. It will go toward helping this family get back on their feet, rebuild their home, and recover from this series of hardships.

Thank you so much for your time, support, and kindness.