My name is Joanne and I’m a single mother of three children that lives with me I never thought my life would come to a moment where I would have to lay my heart bare to strangers… but here I am, praying someone will hear me before we fall any further.

Our world didn’t just crumble it shattered. One day I had a job, a home, routines, laughter from my kids filling up the rooms… and then suddenly it was all gone. Losing my job was like the first domino; after that, everything that held our life together collapsed faster than I could catch it. Now my children and I are living in a hotel for the past 4 months clinging to the little space we have left. Every day feels like a countdown — to check-out time, to the next bill, to the next moment of panic wondering if this is the day we have nowhere left to go.

I don’t have a car anymore either. Losing that broke something inside me. Something as simple as getting them to school or trying to find work becomes a mission that leaves me drained, scared, and exhausted. My kids ages 8,14,15 try to act strong for me. They shouldn’t have to. They should be laughing, playing, dreaming… not worrying if we’ll have a roof over our heads next week.But the hardest part?

It’s the moments at night when they’re finally asleep… and I sit there in the dark, trying not to cry because I don’t want them to wake up and see how truly terrified I am. I feel like I’m failing them, even though I’m fighting as hard as I can.But even in the darkest moments, I refuse to give up on them. They are the reason I wake up every morning and choose to fight again, no matter how tired, scared, or defeated I feel. I’m asking for help because I am doing everything I can and it’s still not enough.

We need stability.

We need a real home again.We need a chance. Anything you can give truly, anything is not just assistance. It is safety. It is dignity. It is hope. It is a lifeline for a mother who is holding her family together with every last bit of strength she has left.

From the deepest part of my heart… thank you for reading. Thank you for caring. Thank you for seeing us when we feel invisible.

You may never know how much your kindness means — but it could be the thing that saves us.