Title:

Help a Chaplain and Single Mother Rebuild Her Home After Severe Mold Damage

Story:

My name is Nayoung Ha, and I serve as a hospital chaplain at Ascension St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago. For the past several years, I have devoted my heart to caring for patients, families, and staff in some of life’s most vulnerable moments — offering prayer, comfort, and hope.

Today, I find myself in need of that same compassion and support.

In August 2025, I purchased a small condominium for myself and my 16-year-old daughter — her dream home, a place with functioning windows where she could finally get some fresh air and look outside. I wanted to give her a stable and peaceful space where she could study, rest, and feel safe as she prepares for college.

But only a few weeks after moving in, our dream turned into a nightmare. We discovered that the unit was filled with long-existing water damage and severe mold contamination hidden behind the walls and floors. The mold was so extensive that most of the drywall and flooring had to be removed. The air became unsafe to breathe, and we were forced to leave our home.

Since then, I have spent nearly all of my savings on remediation and temporary housing, while still paying the mortgage and medical costs related to mold exposure. The damage has worsened my asthma, and my daughter — who has been preparing for college — has struggled with anxiety and the stress of losing her home environment.

We are now living in a partially gutted, unlivable condo with no finished walls or floors. The restoration estimates far exceed what I can afford. As a single mother, my modest chaplain’s income covers basic expenses, but not the cost of rebuilding a home from this devastation.

I am humbly reaching out to my community — friends, colleagues, and all who believe in kindness — to ask for help. Your donations will go directly toward:

Every contribution, no matter the amount, will make a meaningful difference. If you are unable to give, please consider sharing this campaign with others who might be able to help.

My faith and my work have taught me that healing often begins when people come together in compassion. I never imagined being on the receiving end of that compassion — but today, I truly need it.

Thank you for reading our story, for caring, and for helping us rebuild a home and a sense of hope.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Rev. Dr. Nayoung Ha

Chaplain, Ascension St. Joseph Hospital – Chicago