Katlynn & Kids

Hello, my name is Katlynn Ivey. I have a son named Carter who is 10, a daughter named Milan who is 1, and a tuxedo cat named Kittum I need to take to the vet. I’m asking for anyone reading this to please support us all through this time.

We all just recently had our home affected. A day ago, I woke up to my house submerged in smoke in the middle of the night. I couldn’t see much throughout the entire house, and as smoke rapidly filled our apartment, I was not able to grab anything but my children. As I walked out, I saw the apartment under me submerged in smoke and on fire. Three families, including me, are currently displaced, and I’m the only one that cannot receive help. Although I’m grateful my kids are alive, I’m currently now dealing with the aftermath of everything. I have not slept yet, and I’m in the same position as I was when the fire happened.

Between my renter's insurance, the place I currently rent from, and the Red Cross, they were absolutely no help. I’ve reached out to every resource possible, and I’ve had zero luck. The resources we were told are there for us, unfortunately, aren’t actually there at all. Making this GoFundMe was my last resort.

Anyone who knows me knows I work for everything I have, and I do not like taking handouts from anybody, but right now I feel so helpless, and my children mainly need clothing, shelter, and food. My place isn’t considered “inhabitable” because I have electricity, water, and a working kitchen, but it is not livable. Me and my children cannot live in an apartment with heavy smoke damage, especially with me and my son being asthmatic and my baby being a 1-year-old. This is very inhumane and should be illegal to do this to somebody that was a victim of a fire.

I called the owner of the apartment complex I rent from, and their accommodation was, “I will let you break your lease and move.” I do not have the money to move, or I would. I called my renter's insurance, and it’s not considered “inhabitable,” so they also won’t help. I’ve called the Red Cross multiple times and been told I’d get calls back, and nothing has happened. My neighbors even contacted social workers to help me, and they have absolutely no resources for us.

Currently, I have a hotel for two days, but after that, I am out of luck, and we have nowhere safe to go. The apartment below me was damaged so badly it’s going to take a minimum of four months to fix. Please help if you can, and if you can’t, please share. I’m in so much emotional distress writing this from work, hoping it just all works out.