My name is Krista Hanna, and I’ve never done anything like this before.

It’s humbling and difficult to reach out, but my family—my husband, our two children, and I—are in urgent need of a helping hand. Life has dealt us a series of blows that most would find hard to believe, and despite our best efforts to stay afloat, we are now at a critical crossroads.

Over the past three years, we’ve worked tirelessly—without outside support—to hold our family together amid an already unforgiving economy. In 2021, we proudly purchased our first home. It felt like a fresh start, but soon after, the reality of homeownership began to unravel. Within the first year, our air conditioning unit failed. We were already financially stretched from the down payment and unable to afford repairs. That first summer, we survived with only a single window unit—an exhausting and humbling experience.

Let me share a bit more about our situation. We have two children, ages 11 and 5. As any parent knows, the cost of childcare is astronomical. For several years, I’ve been the primary breadwinner while my husband—who is a disabled veteran—stayed home to care for our youngest. It worked for a time, but the financial strain was immense.

As more things around the house began to break—an electrical breaker nearly caused a house fire, and our refrigerator is now failing—we depleted every bit of savings we had. But the real tipping point came when our family’s only vehicle broke down.

I had purchased a car from a local dealership (which I won’t name), and it turned into a nightmare. Just three months in, the heater core failed, causing the engine to overheat constantly. Despite the car’s issues, I continued making payments—until I simply couldn’t anymore. The car was no longer operable, and I had no choice but to return it. That followed the loss of a previous vehicle in 2023 due to a medical emergency. As a result, I now have two repossessions on my credit—barriers that prevent me from financing a reliable car, something I once took for granted.

It’s been one hardship after another, and I honestly don’t know how we’ve made it this far. The emotional toll has been immense. The stress of not knowing how we’ll get to work, get groceries, or get our children where they need to be has deeply affected my mental health and overall well-being. I know our kids feel it, too.

We’ve maxed out every option—credit cards, personal loans, and borrowed funds just to manage necessary repairs and daily expenses. There’s simply nothing left to draw from.

Thankfully, my employer was able to offer me a small loan. By the grace of God, I was also just approved at a dealership. My hope is to match the amount I’ve received so we can finally purchase a dependable vehicle. Without it, I fear we may not be able to keep our home. After years of struggling with a single income, we came dangerously close to losing it—but we’ve turned a corner. Just this month, we made our first mortgage payment in a long time. That alone was a victory.

I’m sharing all of this in full transparency—not because I want to beg, but because I am a mother. And when it comes to my children, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to ensure they’re cared for and safe.

If you’re able to help in any way, please know how deeply grateful we would be. Thank you, and may God bless you for even considering our story.