A lot has been going on with my little family lately. My husband, Jerry, recently hurt his foot and has been unable to work. While he was able to take a leave of absence, we found out it would be unpaid, and he hasn’t worked for two weeks now. At the same time, I was laid off from my job as a Head Start teacher. I’m grateful to have a new job lined up, but I won’t be able to start until after the new year. With both of us currently without income, things have become very stressful, especially with the holidays approaching and our 8-year-old daughter looking forward to Christmas.

We’re doing everything we can to stay afloat, but the bills keep coming—rent, groceries, the light bill, and now medical expenses from Jerry’s injury. We want to make sure our daughter still has a joyful holiday season, even in the midst of these challenges. It’s not easy to ask for help, but we know that sometimes you have to lean on your community when times get tough.

Thank you to everyone who’s sent encouraging messages; it’s been keeping my head above water. I’m sharing our GoFundMe here in case anyone wants to help or simply pass it along. I fully believe in paying kindness forward, and when we’re in a better spot I’ll absolutely do the same for someone else. Your support, in any form, means the world to us right now.