June Update 2025

(I was originally going to post this June but ultimately decided not to as I was too embarrassed and hoped a positive change would come. It has not. There is a July update at the bottom as well).

Hello,

My name is Brendan Dell'Armo but I am sure many of you know that by now. Ya know, I thought things were going pretty well. I graduated college, almost finished my teacher certification exams, and even applied to grad school. I want to thank everyone, my family, friends, students, mentors, and all of you for helping me get to the point where I am today.

Unfortunately, my family and I have hit another major obstacle. Today, our landlord left us a note, voicemail, and e-mail saying that we have exactly 90 days to pay $4,000 in back-rent. I myself had no idea that we were this behind. Just as I thought we were all caught up and things were somewhat improving, this happens.

I am writing to you all for a desperate and rather embarrassing call for help. I wanted to begin fresh as I know many of you are probably already aware of the long backstory as to how we ended up in this mess. My brothers and I continue to clean up after mistakes that were made by individuals that were completely out of our control. My older brother, Christian, who has been the family's savior basically, found out that his current job is on the line. The place where he works is undergoing structural changes, which may lead to the phasing out of his role. He is an extremely hard working person and will now have to deal with this on top of his already stressful life. My younger brother, Ryan, works full-time at our local hardware store where he also works extremely hard. He always has a smile on his face when greeting people and has become somewhat of a fixture in this community but I know deep down, the situation is making him crazy.

My mother, also known as my best friend, is one of the hardest working people in the entire world. She continues to work everyday despite her health not being the greatest. In fact, she has been off of her diabetes medication for a couple of weeks now, thanks to a problem with our insurance. On top of her prior ailments, she now has this to grapple with.

Lastly, my father. Please note, I do love my father. However, this does not mean I am not frustrated with him. I know he did not mean for any of this to happen but it gets rather annoying having to deal with this and his slowly declining health. Everyday, it seems his cognitive abilities begin to dwindle and it does break our hearts as this is a person we love and seeing them slowly enter this state of decline as you might say, is not easy. However, he did have the power to take care of himself early on but due to his crippling anxiety and depression, saw himself unworthy of being taken care of. We understand why he would feel this way but his health is another ongoing battle that my brothers, myself, and our mother have to endure as we are now the only ones able to work.

I continue to work at our local hard store as much as possible while I finish the school year with my students. Working nearly 7 days a week is a challenge but I am doing it for my students and my family. They are the ones who keep me going. I love them all and want to be the very best I can be for them. Graduating college is amazing but also scary as I am now officially entering the "real" world I guess for a lack of a better term. Despite these obstacles, I will not let anything get in between me and my passion for teaching. However, this back-rent is really starting to hurt us and with other bills like the ones I have been paying off from school, don't make it easier. I want to help my family as much as I can get out of this mess. My brothers and I contribute every week to household expenses including rent, but even with the four of us, it is still stressful. I am asking, for their sake not mine, that you please help us. Anything is beyond appreciated and I do apologize for having to ask for help yet again. Please know that everything that is given goes directly towards our expenses such as the rent, food, and other bills. Nothing is ever wasted and helps us beyond comprehension. We truly appreciate everything and thank you again. God bless you all.

July Update 2025:

Hello,

I completed my final year of student teaching. I had an incredible experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world. I also, finally, got my initial certification for teaching childhood education (grades 1-6). This has been amazing but also very stressful as looking for work always is. Unfortunately, there are some negative updates to go along with this. Today, we received a very disturbing phone call from our landlord that he will be getting a lawyer against us if this back rent is not paid within his 90 day deadline. This is as I would say, soul crushing. We have tried our best and still continue to do so in paying these arrears, but as you can imagine, having to pay regular rent, electric and gas bills, along with other expenses like trying to save money for when we have to potentially move, makes it VERY difficult. I do not know what else to do besides reach out once again, mind you, shamefully. Again, everything that is given to us, goes right toward these arrears and the other massive amount of debt that has been bestowed upon us. I am trying to get my life together. However, it feels that with each move I make, something pulls me fifty steps back. I know for a fact, my mother and my brothers, feel the same way. Lastly, my physical health seems to have taken a toll thanks to this. My migraines, that I have suffered from since 6th grade, have returned in full force. I wake up almost everyday in pain from the stress along with the lack of sleep. Recently, I had one so severe that I almost went to the ER. I decided to go to my local urgent care where they examined me to make sure I wasn’t showing signs of a stroke. Thankfully, the doctor seemed not too concerned as I had no other symptoms and the headache did eventually calm down. However, if I ever get that intense pain again, I must go to the emergency room. Again, another obstacle in my way. Thank you for reading this quick update.