Support Jennifer and Kids After Tragic Fire Loss

Hello, I am Deborah Washington and on 10/10/2024, my daughter, Jennifer, and grandchildren, Kalvin Jr., Jason, and Keena, lost their home and everything in it, as well as a beloved pet, in an electrical fire. Luckily, they were not harmed. The fire started in the kids' bedrooms and they lost everything—all toys, clothing, bedding, electronics. Everything. What didn't burn was smoke or water damaged.

Coincidentally, this loss happened six years to the day that they previously lost everything in Hurricane Michael. Jenn and the kids had just gotten back on their feet from this and a debilitating illness Jenn was diagnosed with in November of 2022. She unfortunately was hospitalized recently due to issues with this disease and was unable to pay her insurance due to the hospitalization and didn't realize her renter's insurance had lapsed and only found out when she went to make a claim.

While she did receive emergency assistance from the Red Cross of $875, it was only enough to cover one week at a motel and then emergency vet fees for their surviving pet who was severely burned and suffered smoke inhalation. She had just paid bills and rent. Their property management doesn't offer replacement homes and she has to reapply and pay everything again to be placed in another home.

She is now facing homelessness and possible surrender of her surviving pets in just days due to funding running out. Unfortunately, she is unable to stay with me, as I have housing restrictions.

Since she is employed full-time, she doesn't qualify for Section 8 and emergency HUD housing and will have to come out of pocket for a place. My grandchildren are currently with their father, but this isn't going to be a permanent thing, as she has never been separated from them and they from her. She will also have to surrender her pets if she becomes homeless and she has already lost everything.

We are also asking for assistance with vet bills for her ESA cat, Catpollonia, who was severely injured.

Jenn is the type of woman who opens her home to anyone and was, at the time, housing her sister and nephew while they were looking for housing. She always gives to others and never asks for anything in return and has always given back. It is her turn to ask for help to rebuild. We are hoping that you can find it in your heart to help, so she can start to rebuild once again. Anything helps.