Wanting better for my family!

Hi! My name is Jaycey Carlson and I’m starting this fundraiser to help my family and hopefully kickstart better circumstances for my siblings to be living in. My siblings are currently going through the most important years of their lives, where privacy is essential (especially for women). My mom works at least 5 days a week most times, earning every penny she can for all of us; so needless to say, she works very hard to provide what she can for my family, but with the holidays coming up quick, money is extremely tight this year, and has always been something that we have struggled with.

My mom, my step-dad, my two sisters, and my brother have all lived in a two bedroom 800 square foot apartment for over a decade. My mom, my brother (18), and sister (13) all share one bed in one bedroom. My stepdad and sister (10) share one bed in the other bedroom. And when I come home, I have to either sleep on the couch or floor most times. This is especially tough with my sisters getting older and being at pivotal ages in their lives, because I want them to be able to have their own spaces to grow into being young women.

When I went home, I came to find out that both the refrigerator/freezer, washing, and drying machines are all broken; and my mom has to travel to her brother’s house just to do laundry for everyone. The only refrigerated food they have in the house is in a very small portable fridge that sits on the counter. My mom can’t afford to get them fixed, so they’ve been doing their best to live off of that. Along with these things, there is also mold in the shower and it fills up with water when someone tries to run the water and take one. The other shower is essentially used as a closet for clothes. It’s frustrating knowing that my mom has to spend money on things that should already just be functioning.

Recently, due to my own health issues and also during quarantine and the pandemic, I went to go stay with them for extended periods of time. So this time spent with my family made me realize what circumstances they were living in and how difficult it has been for every single one of them, and I want so much better for them.

For the holidays and Christmas this year, I really want to surprise my mom with some extra money to go towards things that my family really needs right now. My mom has been having to take out of her Christmas savings to adapt to all the things that haven’t been functioning, and I don’t want all of her hard work to go down the drain. I do not want to ask for gifts this year at all, THIS is what I want to ask for. I am appreciative of anything anyone is able to contribute to this. I have a goal, but anything and everything counts!!! I love and care about my family more than anything, and I just want to see my siblings live the best lives they possibly can and be in better conditions than they are now. Thank you so much for anything you can donate and please share with anyone you know to help!