Home Lost in Apartment Fire
Donation protected
OUR STORY
Just before 6:00 am this morning I awoke to a distressed voice message from my mother, Karen Redus, telling me that her apartment building was on fire, that she had barely made it out alive, and that she had lost everything. The first thing I did after hanging up the phone was cry. First tears of joy because she made it out alive, then tears of sadness and guilt, because I am position to rescue her from this situation. We live in the very expensive San Francisco Bay Area, I don't make much money and I've got next to nothing saved. I thought about taking her and moving out of state, but I am too financially unstable to safely make such a big move. Everyone we know and all of our connections are here in the bay area. I know that it is unrealistic to find affordable housing here, especially on short notice, but I do know that if I can get her into an affordable place then I can continue to support her moving forward.
HELPING OTHERS
My mother has helped countless lost people recover their own lives, spending almost half her life working with Walden House and the City of San Francisco and the City of Oakland in rehab programs and shelters. Unfortunately she is currently disabled and unable to work. This time around, I'm hoping that people will be willing to pitch in and offer her some help.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
I am asking for $10,000 to put down first and last month's rent and the security deposit for an apartment, as well as money for housewares and clothes. I'm not sure if $10,000 would be enough to cover all of these costs, but with any luck it would come close and I know that I will be able to cover the rest.
Money is important but it can't solve every problem, and I know there are people out there with kind hearts who might want to help, but don't have money to give. If you know of anyone renting a room or apartment below market value in the Bay Area or Central Valley, please let us know. The only thing she doesn't need is food, I can keep her fed, but any information that could lead her to a permanent, safe housing situation, and donations of any kind will be graciously accepted.
Red Cross should be able to find her short-term shelter, but we have no guarantees for the long term. The sooner she recieves help, the better.
Just before 6:00 am this morning I awoke to a distressed voice message from my mother, Karen Redus, telling me that her apartment building was on fire, that she had barely made it out alive, and that she had lost everything. The first thing I did after hanging up the phone was cry. First tears of joy because she made it out alive, then tears of sadness and guilt, because I am position to rescue her from this situation. We live in the very expensive San Francisco Bay Area, I don't make much money and I've got next to nothing saved. I thought about taking her and moving out of state, but I am too financially unstable to safely make such a big move. Everyone we know and all of our connections are here in the bay area. I know that it is unrealistic to find affordable housing here, especially on short notice, but I do know that if I can get her into an affordable place then I can continue to support her moving forward.
HELPING OTHERS
My mother has helped countless lost people recover their own lives, spending almost half her life working with Walden House and the City of San Francisco and the City of Oakland in rehab programs and shelters. Unfortunately she is currently disabled and unable to work. This time around, I'm hoping that people will be willing to pitch in and offer her some help.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
I am asking for $10,000 to put down first and last month's rent and the security deposit for an apartment, as well as money for housewares and clothes. I'm not sure if $10,000 would be enough to cover all of these costs, but with any luck it would come close and I know that I will be able to cover the rest.
Money is important but it can't solve every problem, and I know there are people out there with kind hearts who might want to help, but don't have money to give. If you know of anyone renting a room or apartment below market value in the Bay Area or Central Valley, please let us know. The only thing she doesn't need is food, I can keep her fed, but any information that could lead her to a permanent, safe housing situation, and donations of any kind will be graciously accepted.
Red Cross should be able to find her short-term shelter, but we have no guarantees for the long term. The sooner she recieves help, the better.
Organizer and beneficiary
Mike Redus
Organizer
San Francisco, CA
Karen Redus
Beneficiary