One of La Tiendita’s most dedicated volunteers, a lifelong South Side resident and mother of four young children, is now facing eviction and urgently needs rental assistance. She recently lost her job and has received a 30-day notice, putting her and her children at risk of losing their home.

She first came to La Tiendita (a free store/mutual aid group based in Washington Park) looking for clothes, toys, toiletries, and furniture for her family. Soon after, she began volunteering because she saw that longtime Black residents and newly arrived immigrant families both depended on this resource. She wanted to help her neighbors and her community, and she has been doing just that ever since.

She shows up every Monday and Saturday to help us sort through the dozens of bags of donations we receive. Her steady, consistent help is essential to keeping La Tiendita running.

Since early 2024, La Tiendita has operated out of the community center at Coppin AME Church in Washington Park. La Tiendita was created during a moment of crisis, when thousands of immigrants were being bused to our city. Though the “migrant buses” are no longer arriving, we are committed to staying in this neighborhood and continuing to serve the Black and Latine families who rely on us. Our volunteer has been a key part of this work.

We are asking for your help so she and her four children can stay housed and stable during this difficult time. Any amount will help her catch up on rent, avoid eviction, and work toward finding new employment.

Thank you for supporting her, her children, and the community they are part of. Every donation makes a real difference.