Shannon Wallin

After a family mental health crisis turned my life upside down, I lost my car, my job, and now my home—but one vehicle could help me get back to work and rebuild. A Car Could Help Me Rebuild My Life and Avoid Homelessness Five years ago, my partner and I built something we were incredibly proud of. Together we ran a successful cleaning company servicing vacation rentals and homes. We worked long days, took pride in what we did, and built a reputation for leaving properties spotless and guest-ready. Our business allowed us to support our family and build a stable life together. Then life took a turn none of us could have expected. My partner experienced severe emotional trauma that led to a serious mental health crisis. What started as overwhelming stress eventually turned into a full breakdown that none of us were prepared for. Over the last year and a half, I did everything I could to hold our lives together while caring for her and raising our son at the same time. Eventually, the situation became more than I could manage alone. A few months ago, my partner had to move to New York to live with family who are better equipped to support her recovery. Our son is currently staying with his grandparents so he can have stability while everything gets sorted out. Those decisions were made out of love, but they left me trying to rebuild everything on my own. Over the past four months, things have unraveled faster than I could recover from them. I lost my vehicle, which meant I couldn’t keep consistent work. Without transportation, I eventually lost my job as well. During this incredibly difficult period, circumstances spiraled beyond my control, and I am now also facing legal challenges that have added even more stress and financial pressure. Recently, I was also informed that my current property manager will not be renewing the lease for the lot that my trailer sits on. Without the funds to move my current home and unable to find a buyer within the allotted time frame, I will be forced to abandon it. The owners of the property want to use the land for another purpose, so the homes that sit there can be sold, but the buyer must agree to remove them from the property. Which means I will soon have to find another place to live. With everything happening at once, I am now facing the very real possibility of homelessness. Despite everything, I haven’t given up. I have in-person job interviews scheduled March 16th-20th , and I am doing everything I can to get back on my feet. The biggest obstacle right now is transportation. Without a car, I can’t get to interviews or maintain a job. But without proof of income, I can’t qualify for financing or traditional car loans. Right now I’m stuck in a position where I just need one break so I can start moving forward again. What the funds will help with My goal is simply to regain stability so I can work and rebuild my life. Transportation • New/Used vehicle from Facebook Marketplace or similar – approximately   $3,000-$15,000 • Taxes, Fees, Registration - $150-$250 • Insurance - $350-$500 Housing • Application Fees - $200-$350  • First month’s rent – $1,100-$1800 • Last month’s rent – $1,100-$1800 • Security deposit – $1,100-$1800 •  Utilities Electric, Water, Internet -             $2500-$3500        Goal to stabilize my situation: $40,000 I know that’s a lot to ask, and I truly don’t expect to reach the full amount. My most urgent need right now is simply a reliable vehicle so I can get to work. Even if I had to temporarily sleep in the vehicle while saving money, it would allow me to work and move forward instead of falling further behind. Asking for help is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I’ve always worked hard and done everything I could to provide for my family. But after everything that has happened, I’ve reached a point where I simply cannot do it alone. If you’re able to donate, share this fundraiser, or even send encouragement, it would mean more than I can express. Every bit of support helps give me a chance to rebuild, get back to work, and eventually bring stability back into my life. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for any kindness you can offer. Even if you can’t donate, sharing this fundraiser could truly make all the difference.