My name is Daisy Echevarria, and I'm a single mother to an incredible 11-year-old boy who has shown more strength this past year than most adults show in a lifetime.

For nearly a year now, my son and I have been experiencing homelessness. We've moved from shelters to temporary housing, and we're currently in a transition home. Through it all, I've tried my hardest to keep life as normal as possible for him – to make sure he gets to school, to protect his childhood, and to show him that we won't give up on building a better life.

But I won't pretend this journey hasn't taken its toll. Watching my son struggle with the emotional weight of our situation has been the hardest part of all. He's dealing with anxiety and sadness that no child should have to carry. He tries to be brave for me, and I try to be strong for him, but the truth is, we both need stability and hope right now.

While we were staying at a shelter, our car – the one thing that's kept us mobile and connected to opportunities – was hit while parked on the street. The damage is extensive, and the car desperately needs new tires that we haven't been able to afford for months.

This car is everything to us. It's how I get to school. It's how my son gets to school. It's where we've spent nights when shelter beds weren't available. It's our safety, our privacy, and our hope for independence. Without it, we're truly stuck.

I'm actively searching for work every single day, applying to positions, following up, doing everything I can. But without reliable transportation, even getting to interviews feels nearly impossible. Meanwhile, we're barely scraping by. Groceries are a constant worry, and I hate that my son sometimes goes to bed hungry or sees me skip meals so he can eat more.

I'm humbly asking for your help to cover:

Car repairs to fix the accident damage and make our vehicle drivable again

New tires to ensure safe, reliable transportation

Groceries to feed my growing boy and keep us nourished while I secure stable employment

Every single dollar will go directly toward these immediate needs. This isn't just about fixing a car – it's about giving us the tools to break this cycle and finally move forward.

I don't take this request lightly. I'm not looking for a handout – I'm asking for a hand up. I'm working every day to change our circumstances, and I promise you that every bit of support will be used wisely and with deep gratitude.

When we make it through this – and we will – I'll remember everyone who helped us. My son will grow up knowing that people cared, that strangers became angels when we needed them most. And when we're stable again, we'll pay this kindness forward to other families who are struggling just like we are now.

Thank you for reading our story. Thank you for seeing us – really seeing us.

We haven't given up. We're still here, still fighting, still hoping. We just need a little help to keep going.

With endless gratitude and hope for brighter days,

Daisy