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Hi , my name is Melissa and I have a 19 y.o son who is Autistic.

He has come a long way from being non verbal and communicating through sign language and pictures, yet still needs 24/7 supervision and support .

Due to unfortunate life circumstances, I am in an emergency situation of not having an affordable place to live . We have been on the Almost Homeless list in limbo since June, when my Landlord gave notice that he actively is selling the property.

This has placed us in an extremely stressful situation of uncertainty and I have tried everything to secure affordable housing that meets his needs.

No stone has gone unturned. All available resources have been utilized or on a long list .

For anyone who knows me , asking for help and funds , pains me and I have been avoiding it until I had some light at the end of the tunnel.

We finally found a place in our last hours . But we need funds to secure it ASAP or lose it .

It is our only option that meets his basic needs .

Due to the desperateness of our situation, I have asked family and close friends if they could care for my son , so I could work and get the money needed to get us on our feet, , but because of his needs , I just cannot get that level of support , consistent child care or a shared living space .

I have explored group home and residential programs , it is not available. I would have to give him up to the state and have him hospitalized, which would be tragic and unnecessary. I could not live with this .

Months of this instability of housing and income has placed us in a desperate situation.

I do not expect everyone to understand what I am going through so I can care for him , and the major life changes and loss I have experienced and yet have to smile and hide the pain around him and others because it affects him when he sees me upset. As is, just him seeing boxes , packing his favorite things not knowing what is happening has been a daily challenge. We need hope.

I know I can continue to care for him with a little help, which is why I am just asking for the bare minimum needed, though a little more would greatly assist and speed up the transition while relieving the overwhelming duress of so many barriers and challenges.

If you are not able to help , a prayer and sharing of someone you know who can, is what we need and would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you ❤️

In gratitude,

Melissa