I am running this fundraiser on behalf of two friends of mine who are in a desperate situation. Tim is a 66 year old single father. He has COPD and asthma related to a chemical accident years ago. His son, Logan, is 18, autistic, and primarily nonverbal with high support needs. They are both kind, caring, gentle-hearted people. Tim has had sole custody of his son since Logan was a baby, although his non-custodial mother has remained in his life.

They became homeless in 2020 following a fire, and have stayed in hotels, with friends, and in their car at various points during that time. When last forced to live in the car, Tim developed pneumonia that put him in the ICU for five days. Logan stayed with his mother, who is not well-equipped to care for him. In the spring of 2024, they were finally placed in emergency family shelter - a full 4 years after they originally lost stable housing. At no point during the last year have their caseworkers been anything more than marginally helpful - from ignoring their questions to simply cancelling meetings when time was at stake. On October 11th, due to new legislation, their time at the shelter expires and they must leave, and would be required to reapply - meaning an unknown wait time, and no choice as to where in the state they could be placed.

They have been ignored by landlords because Tim has no credit score, or discriminated based on Logan's disability.

At this time, the fastest and safest option - given the inevitable approach of winter - is a hotel. However, a hotel room costs as much or more as a month's rent. That is where the fundraiser comes in. We hope to buy them some time, in a safe, warm place, until their housing application moves through or they are re-admitted to emergency shelter. Please be so kind - even a little will go a long way toward keeping them safe. Being unhoused in Massachusetts in the winter is a serious risk to life and safety, as we learned with Tim's pneumonia. Share widely and give as you are able.

The photo is Logan (front) on a horseback trail ride with myself and my horse.