Support Cornelius in Overcoming Life's Challenges

Hello, my name is Cornelius, and I’m humbly reaching out for help during one of the most difficult seasons of my life.

Last year, I was living independently in Ames, Iowa — working hard, making ends meet, and building a stable life. Then,What was meant to be a short family visit turned into an unexpected life-altering chapter.

While visiting/staying with in Az, I was awoken by a sheriff at the door, informing us we were being evicted. Faced with a choice between leaving or helping my family, I chose to stand by them. That decision led to all of us — 5 adults and 6 children — living in an unfinished RV. I sold my phone to help cover basic living expenses. It was chaotic, overwhelming, and emotionally exhausting.

With no way to communicate with anyone back in Iowa, people assumed the worst — that I was dead or missing.

In the midst of it all, the police showed up looking for me — I had been served paternity papers. A DNA test confirmed that I am the father of a beautiful 6-month-old baby boy.

That moment changed my life.

I dropped everything and relocated back to Iowa to be the father my son deserves. But now I’m starting over with nothing — no phone, no vehicle, no job, and no stable housing. My old apartment was re-rented, but the landlords say I still owe back rent. They’ve locked up all of my belongings. I’m sleeping on a couch with a jacket for a blanket, physically and emotionally drained, just trying to hold it all together.

I’ve been trying everything — job applications, government aid, veterans’ assistance — but I keep hitting walls.

I’m determined to provide a stable life for my son, but I can’t do it alone anymore.

I’m asking for your help. I need urgent financial support to:

• Secure reliable transportation to see my son and attend interviews

• Afford rent and living expenses for the next two months

• Pay back rent owed to my former landlord and retrieve my belongings

• Cover child support and essential needs for my child

I have no family support, and no friends left to lean on. I’m a Marine Corps veteran doing everything I can, but I’m running out of options.

If you’ve ever felt like the odds were stacked against you, then you understand. I’m not asking for a handout — I’m asking for a chance to rebuild and be the father I was meant to be.

Please consider donating, sharing, or offering any help you can. Every little bit makes a world of difference.

Thank you for reading my story and for caring.

*Detailed Expense breakdown provided below*

With gratitude,

Cornelius

Detailed Expense Breakdown:

2. Back Owed Rent to Previous Landlord

• Rent Debt (Due by August): $3,000

3. Reliable Vehicle for Transportation

• Estimated Cost Range: $3,500 – $8,000

• Requesting Median Range Amount: $5,000

(For dependable transportation to visit child and maintain work)

4. Child Support & Essential Needs

• Child Support : $216

• Basic Needs (Food, Hygiene, Phone, Job Search): $500

(Includes Wi-Fi plan, phone bill, clothing, daily essentials)

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What Your Support Will Do:

• Reunite a father with his child by enabling safe travel and legal housing.

• Prevent legal action and homelessness by settling overdue rent.

• Support mental health and stability for someone fighting to rebuild after trauma.

• Create a sustainable path to self-sufficiency through reliable transportation, stable housing, and continued education/job search efforts.