Description: Arden Gustafson is not just my mom—she’s a remarkable woman whose kindness and generosity have touched lives across the world. Arden is a trailblazer, becoming one of the first single women in Massachusetts to adopt. It took her 20 years to bring me into her life, and she traveled twice to El Salvador to adopt my sister and me, even though we aren’t related by blood. Her compassion didn’t stop with our family—Arden sponsored 70 children through Save the Children, making a difference in the lives of kids from Costa Rica to the Appalachian Mountains. She even brought us to visit some of the children she supported, showing us firsthand the impact of giving.

Arden’s dedication to children extended to our local community. She donated to keep music and art alive in Northborough schools, made sure every child could enjoy simple joys like ice cream, and helped fund class trips and musical instruments for students who couldn’t afford them. The Northborough school system honored her for her unwavering support, recognizing how she made a difference for so many. Arden’s generosity even reached across continents, helping build homes for children in Africa. Without my mom, I wouldn’t be here, and neither would my sons—one a Marine, the other a carpenter. I’m about to become a grandmother, and I owe so much to her. Arden is the heart of our family, and I promised her she wouldn’t spend her final years in a nursing home.

Right now, we’re facing a heartbreaking legal battle. My mom’s conservatorship is controlled by a lawyer who isn’t listening to her wishes or mine. Arden always wanted me to have her house, but my uncle is fighting to force me to buy it, and the lawyer is raising the costs so high that we’re facing eviction. The monthly fees have become impossible, and unless I can raise the funds, we’ll lose the home my mom wanted me to have—and the safe place she hoped to return to.

I’m asking for your help to cover legal fees and to buy back my mom’s house, or secure a home for her to come back to. Your support will help honor Arden’s wishes and give her the dignity and love she deserves. Thank you for reading our story and for any help you can give.