Keep Michael's Family Safe and Housed

Hello everybody!

My name is Michael. I'm a devoted father of 3 who is down on his luck, and I am asking for your help to keep my family afloat for the months of August and September while we try to get back on our feet after an avalanche of setbacks and financial emergencies.

So many things have gone wrong.

We have an old Volvo that we got used a while back, and it was a good little car for a few years. Unfortunately the Volvo has come down with a case of failed fuel pump, and is going to cost $1200.00 to fix.

This car was used for getting to and from jobs as well as doing side gigs to make ends meet. I currently support my 3 kids and their mother by working the night shift at a gas station and doing Door Dash in the day when I can. Needless to say, I don't get very much sleep!

But it's worth it to keep a roof over their heads, which we've lived in for 16 years. This has been my kids' home for as long as they can remember.

I also draw and paint and sell some art here and there for $60 or so, but so far nothing substantial really comes of it. My passion is art, even if it doesn't make any money, I still love to do it.

To be upfront, we do have another car, but that one is also old and on its last legs. It shakes and doesn't seem to want to accelerate properly and the tires are just about bald. So it's not very safe to drive and can't make long trips around town. It won't last much longer.

My children's mother used to have a pretty decent job that paid the bills, but she is now disabled with a chronic illness and can no longer physically work.

She tries her best and currently helps bring in a bit working from home as a transcriber, but that really doesn't pay much — enough to buy some essentials and help with some odds and ends.

We had a savings which is now depleted due to paying down debt, rent, and bills that have piled up since her inability to work a steady job.

Since we've been relying on just the gas station job without her main income, and now without the extra income from side gigs, we won't have enough funds to make it through August or September...and maybe even beyond. I hope not.

Every single cent is going towards other necessities (utilities, insurance etc) a few of which we're also behind on. We've asked for extensions on everything we could, and those are coming due soon. There are also upcoming medical expenses that aren't covered by insurance, and I don't know how we'll pay for that either.

I do have a plan for more stable work though. Prior to all this happening, I had gotten a new job lined up as a substitute teacher for this school year, which I'm looking forward to. I'm great with kids, especially troubled ones, as was a troubled kid myself, so I know how to relate to and reach them. I've mentored middle and highschool kids with writing and art, and I've lectured and guest taught art classes as well. I had a great time and the kids had fun, so I know I can succeed at this and get life back on track! I have my teaching license and everything ready to go.

My goal is to gain experience as a substitute so I can transition to a full time art teacher.

But the substitute job doesn't start until the new school year in mid-August, and realistically I likely won't be getting many calls to work right away (I'm not sure how many teachers call out sick during the first couple weeks of school...maybe it's a lot, who knows!)

In the meantime, I've applied at some other stores in the area that are nearby (public transportation in this area is unreliable at best) and I have had some interviews. But even if hired soon, it won't be in time to make enough money to pay August's and September's bills and rent, plus fix the cars while catching up on the past due bills.

We have been struggling and just barely scraping by as it is, but now we're so far behind, I honestly don't know how we can make it without your help.

I have tried to sell the Volvo to get money to fix the other car, whose repairs probably won't be as expensive, but unfortunately nobody wants to buy an ancient, broken car that isn't worth much. I suppose I can't blame them.

My own kids deserve better than I've been able to provide so far, but I'm working very hard to change that. They are smart, sweet, loving, and the kindest people I know. All three of them are into art and various other hobbies — crochet, writing, photography, and history are their favorites. I just want them to be able to continue thriving without worrying about where we're going to sleep or what's going to happen to us.

We are scrambling to make ends meet, but with only my measly gas station job, her meager transcription job, and now no side gigs, there is no probable way we can do this on our own. Not to mention without a reliably working car, I don't know how I'm going to get to any of the substitute teaching jobs!

My family has been able to help the last couple of months, but are no longer able to do so, and she has nobody in her family to turn to for help.

And unless a miracle happens I, my 3 children, and their mother will all be homeless in a matter of weeks.

I am humbly asking you to help make that miracle happen.

Total amount we are trying to raise is $8,000.00 for two months of rent, car repairs, and bills (insurance, utilities, phone, medical expenses)

Any amount given will be so very helpful and so very much appreciated!

Please donate and share. Thank you so much!