Help Keep a Family from Losing Their Home

Dear friends, family, and compassionate strangers,

I never imagined I’d find myself in this position, but after months of struggle, I’m asking for help to keep my partner and 3-year-old from losing our home.

Earlier this year, I was laid off without notice. One Friday morning, I went into work like any other day, only to be told by noon that my entire department was being cut due to company-wide budget issues. It wasn’t performance-related, but that didn’t soften the blow. I left with a 1-week severance, and no idea how we’d make it through the months ahead. I figured I'd be able to land a job within a month like I always had. Thankfully, I had a 6-month safety net saved and had unemployment benefits, but unemployment only covered about 1/4 of what I was bringing in. This created an immediate hole but we cut all non-essential expenses.

Since then, I’ve been applying for every job imaginable—related and unrelated to my field—only to face rejection or complete silence. I’ve had only five interviews in all these months. It feels like every job requires three rounds of interviews, and employers seem to ghost applicants more often than not. I’ve even seen positions I was encouraged to apply for get taken down and reposted without any updates. It's disheartening and exhausting, especially in this “white-collar recession” where opportunities feel so out of reach.

With no income, I’ve done everything I can think of to stay afloat. I’ve tried driving for Uber Eats, but the pay barely averages $6/hour after expenses. DoorDash isn’t taking new drivers in my area. Customers have even baited me with high tips only to lower them to zero after delivery. I’ve pawned what I could just to put food on the table, but it’s not enough.

Now, for the first time in my life, I’m behind on all my bills, and eviction proceedings have begun because I owe two months of rent. We need $3,600 by the 1st of the month to reset the clock and stay under the eviction threshold. I’ve set a stretch goal of $5,500 to help with other critical expenses, but my immediate focus is raising $3,600 to keep a roof over our heads. I don't even care anymore at this point about past due bills; I just don't want my family on the streets. We don't have a family or resources to fall back on. Both my partner and I are from abusive families with exposure to sexual abuse and brutal physical abuse, and don't have that option unfortunately. If there was someone I could call to stay with, I would've done it when I lost my job. Everyone around me is just trying to stay afloat.

I’ve reached out to countless agencies and housing resources, only to be sent in circles—voicemail after voicemail, never a call back. I’m drained emotionally, physically, and financially, but I refuse to give up for the sake of my child. It’s just the three of us—my partner (his mom), me, and my little one—and I’ve exhausted every option. Asking for help feels like a last resort, but I don’t know what else to do.

Every contribution, no matter how small, will help us take a step closer to stability. If you’re unable to give, sharing our story would mean the world to me.

Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and support during this incredibly difficult time.

With gratitude, hoping everyone has safe and healthy holidays.