My name is Jasmine Bowen, and I’m a single mother of three beautiful boys (ages 6, 2, and 1). I have never been in this situation before, and it’s taken everything in me to put my pride to the side and write this. But today, I am humbly asking for help. I’m facing eviction and have until Wednesday at 12:00 PM to come up with nearly $8,000 or me and my kids will be homeless.

I moved into our home through Invitation Homes in October 2024. I’ve worked hard every month to pay $2,300 rent, plus utilities, smart home fees, and any other charges they added on. I kept up with everything because my kids deserve stability. Things changed in April, when I had to travel to California to say goodbye to my brother, who was in a coma.

While away, I tried to pay my rent like I always do through the online portal, but it wouldn’t let me. When I called, I was told I had a $2,000+ balance that didn’t make sense. I was told I was being billed separately by Conservice, a third-party utility company, on top of my own NV Energy and gas bills I had been paying that they tried to say I never switched into my name so they were charging me for that as well, although I had sent proof my bills were in my name. On top of that, I was also charged for plumbing repairs that were absolutely not my fault.

Here’s what really happened:

Not even a full month after moving in, my downstairs bathroom flooded. We immediately bought a Shop-Vac, shut off the water, and tried to fix the issue ourselves. When maintenance came, they said the toilet was clogged so badly, it had to have been backed up for two years well before we moved in. They came out three separate times, and each time confirmed it wasn’t our fault. Yet, I was still charged for the work. I ask invitation homes if I could have the company information to speak to the person that told me it was not my fault. They stated they would reach out to the company they don’t give their tenants that information which was strange. I asked how would I know they would have integrity and find the person that told me that it was not my fault on 3 different occasions they never responded.

When I couldn’t pay the extra $2,000 in surprise fees, I was told I couldn’t pay online and would have to bring a money order which I did. I brought a $2,525 money order to cover my rent, smart home charges, and late fees. They said they wouldn’t accept it and that they would mail it back. I waited for two weeks, calling and emailing daily asking where it was. Finally, they told me they did not have my money order that they checked and it had had been cashed but not by them. USPS confirmed it had been cashed, so now I had to dispute it.

At that point, I was completely thrown off track. May came, and I didn’t have the funds to “catch up.” I tried to get help through local resources. One agency even contacted Invitation Homes directly and asked for the necessary paperwork to assist me. But Invitation Homes dragged their feet and didn’t submit the documents in time. The organization ran out of funding before they could help me.

This company is known for hidden fees. I’m stuck in this lease until I finish school. I’m currently studying Criminal Justice, and I’ve already completed half of my associate’s degree and obtained my PI license. I’ve changed my life around, and although I may have been able to come up with this money through other means in the past, I’m walking in faith and doing things the right way now. I’m going to school, working, raising my children, and doing everything in my power to give them a better future and childhood something I never had.

When I first applied for Urban League child care, I was denied because I was also raising my son’s older brother, but I didn’t have the right paperwork to get TANF. Since you can’t receive it for just one child, I was left without the help I needed. Thankfully, the stipulations have changed, and now I’ve been approved! I’ll finally be able to get my kids into daycare and work all the hours I need to stay afloat moving forward.

I’ve done everything I can:

• I’ve worked multiple jobs

• Tried to get loans (denied)

• Sold and pawned belongings

• Gone to court twice

• Reached out to every resource I could find

• Begged for documentation from my landlord

• And through it all, I’ve never stopped showing up for my kids showing up to work and keeping on!

This isn’t just about money!! this is about keeping my kids safe and sheltered. I’ve spent my life helping others without hesitation. I’ve raised kids that weren’t mine, stepped in when others couldn’t, opened my door to anyone in need showed up for people when they needed me the most, no questions asked. Now, I’m asking for someone to show up for me.

This is a huge ask, I know. But the closer I get to this goal, the better chance I have at keeping my family together and pushing forward. I have surgery coming up July 9, and both of my boys have birthdays soon June 29 and July 13. I can’t imagine losing our home right before those milestones.

I’m doing everything I can the right way. I work. I study. I raise my children with love, faith, and strength. But right now I just need help.

I have been to court also told the judge what was going on; the person that showed up to court for invitation homes tried to say they wouldn’t accept any type of assistance although I had been emailed them and they had sent over part of the documents for me to get help. They truly are a terrible company with no organization or care for their tenants. The judge only granted an extension because I begged I told him I wouldn’t had been in this situation if my money order was not missing as well as these random fees showing up out of nowhere . He did not truly care he cared enough to allow me till Wednesday that was 2 days ago last Thursday…

If you can donate, even $1 helps. If you can’t donate, please share this and send us your prayers. I believe in God’s timing. I believe in community. And I believe that there is a village out there somewhere, even if I haven’t found mine yet.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.

— Jasmine Bowen & my 3 boys