My name is Kayla, and I’m a mother of three incredible daughters — ages 13, 11, and 10. I’m reaching out because, despite my strongest efforts, we’ve hit a wall I can’t climb alone. We need a vehicle, and I need help paying small legal fees to reinstate my driver’s license. I’m working with legal aid to try to reduce costs, but there are still out-of-pocket expenses I simply can’t manage on my own right now.

Let me tell you how we got here — because it’s not just about a car. It’s about survival, resilience, and starting over after a storm of trauma and loss.

⸻

Our Journey:

• April 2022: My sister was diagnosed with inoperable brain stem cancer.

• June 2022: I survived a brutal assault by my ex-boyfriend that left me with broken vocal cords.

• July 2022: I learned devastating news.

• August 2022: I packed up our lives and moved my girls and me to Tucson — my hometown — to escape the abuse, start fresh, and heal.

This wasn’t just a move. It was a lifeline. It saved my life. It saved my daughters’ lives.

We left behind the small community of Prescott Valley, where I’d lived since 2005, and came back to Tucson, where I was born. We came with hope and barely anything else. My daughter lost her father when she was just 6 months old. We’ve faced loss before — but this past year has tested us beyond what I ever imagined possible.

⸻

Starting Over, One Step at a Time:

It took me nine months to find work after we arrived. But I didn’t give up. I landed a job at Dairy Queen — my very first job years ago — and eventually became the training manager for two stores.

In August I departed from Dairy Queen, I quickly found a job at Circle K, within walking distance — because I don’t have a driver’s license.

Then, in October, I lost that job too.

And ever since, I’ve been searching — from sunup to sundown, walking into places and applying anywhere I can. I count the “no’s” each day — and I’m told time and again that the gaps in my employment are the reason. But those gaps are survival stories. I wish they could see that.

⸻

Why I’m Asking for Help:

We are without a car.

I am without a license.

I’m without work — for now — but not without drive. I just submitted my license reinstatement application, and I’m working with legal aid to do it the right way, as affordably as possible.

Your support would help us:

• Pay the remaining legal fees to get my license back

• Get a vehicle so I can access better job opportunities and provide stability for my kids

• Reclaim the independence we so desperately need to keep moving forward

⸻

Final Thoughts:

I’m not asking for pity. I’m asking for a hand to help us keep going. We’ve already made it through the worst. We are safe now. That’s the first and best part.

But we need stability. We need hope. And I’m not too proud to ask for help to give that to my daughters — they deserve it more than anyone.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading our story. Any support — whether it’s a donation or a share — makes a world of difference.

With love,

Kayla Downey

& my girls

**** UPDATE 9/5/2025*****

The girls are all in school and thriving. Great Grades, Volleyball Team, and the baby took up Violin. We qualify for Mckinney Veto's help with funds for school things like this, and transportation as well. Which is a HUGE Blessing!

No progress has been made with reinstating my Drivers License. Again, this is a huge burden on us, like all the time. Public transportation isn't always sunshine and rainbows, and it gets the job done, but enough is enough. The accident happened in 2009. Please send HELP!

I am still looking for employment. Nothing has come about, STILL.

I have acquired a down payment cost for a Diversion Court Class I have to take for 6 months, which is $800.

My phone broke. My laptop is on its last leg.

Everything just keeps piling up, but we stay in good spirits!

I'm begging you to dig deep into your pockets. My little family really needs a blessing.

Thank you so much! Love you!

***UPDATE 10/25/2025***********

My daughters are all on the Honor Roll. With perfect transportation to and from school which is GREAT. So great. I am so proud of them.

Me, I am looking at having surgery to have a Bakers Cyst removed from the back of my left knee. And also possible right knee surgery as well. These are illnesses I have lived with for 20 plus years, and my body is finally done with the bandaids I have been using.

I have been to every job fair possible. I have had many interviews. And yet I still can't land a job. It's very possible that my gap of employment is the problem. Or my current background situation causes employers to just say no without even speaking with me about it. I don't know. It's some of the most disheartening scenes I have ever had to encounter. But I will not give up. My housing program requires me to apply and reach out for interviews weekly. And yet still nothing happens.

My next court date is 12/23/2025. I will have to have $470 for a down payment to be on a Monitored Diversion Program. I will have a $45 dollar a month payment for classes, but there is a very bright side to this plea agreement. I will have all 3 domestic disturbances charges completely dropped. I will be able to immediately re-instate my Level 1 Fingerprint Card.

My drivers license company won't return my calls or emails. So, I am no matter what working on saving every dollar we can for that as well. The total is $1,179. Owed to Lippman Recupero, here in Tucson, AZ. The situation is unreal, it's a case that is 16 years old.

I have started to make Magnets, Keychains, and Badges for side work.

I am an Advertisement Partner with over 100 companies, also.

I can still press screen prints onto T-Shirts too.

& I have a whole lot of inventory (glass cups, T-shirts and 20 oz skinny tumbler cups) that I am selling at $1.25 a piece.

Also, I do have roughly 50-60 blank T shirts for sale. Brand new. Sizes Small and Medium only. With the sale price of $1.25.

My ex-husband gets out of prison on Christmas Day, 12/25/25. We co-parent super well. This will help substantially also. We just have to GET there.

I am keeping every positive thought and action on the forefront of our days. Talking out every feeling, emotion and thought that we need to discuss as a family.

We need everybody's hands on deck here. It takes a village to help each other stay a whole. I can't pray enough and thank everybody enough for helping us this far.

We are very blessed with good friends, and a shelter to rest our heads at!

Again, I ask you to reach deep into your pockets, or change jars. Every penny helps us.

Thank you.