Hello, my name is Maria. I'm 38 years old, 7 months pregnant, with also my 8-year-old by my side. This past year has been very hard. I've worked since I was 16 years old. Last year, I lost my job, and for personal reasons, my emotional state was unstable. I lost my house and reached out to my parents, which ended up turning into a nightmare.

I moved out when I was 18 years old. I returned at 37 thinking, hey, I'll save for a house down-payment, save money, and hopefully, my mom helps me with my son. Boy, was I wrong. I helped out with food and whatever was needed at the house. As the months passed by, my mom just started making remarks under her breath. At first, I didn't think anything of it; maybe she was having a bad day. Then she started locking my son and me out of the house. During the same time, I found out I was pregnant. Eventually, I decided just to leave and book motels. Maybe she needed to cool down. Well, time passed, and she just didn't let us back in.

Now, I'm a high-risk pregnancy, unable to work, living day to day in motels, which add up to over $2,000 a month or more. Which now, with no work, is almost impossible. I've tried different ways for help, but the fact of the matter is that I would like to rent at least a studio for my kids and me, but the rents have gone up, and its requirements of making 3x the income for me is impossible at the moment. Which is why I'm asking the community for help. I don't know another way in my situation. Since I left my mom's house, she hasn't even reached out. It's been since September. Living at the hotel gets expensive, and there are days I've slept in my car, a 1998 Ford Explorer. I've gone to shelters, but here in Tulare, they are only overnight and must be out by 6 am. Whatever help I can get, I would greatly appreciate it and be grateful forever. Never did I think I would be in a situation like this, but I don't know what else to do but think of my kids first. I thank you in advance.