Support Sydney Sikes in Rebuilding after Toxic Mold Crisis
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This was not the update I had hoped for, but I consulted with a lawyer who advised me to move out immediately to pursue legal action. Even after being placed in a different unit, I have been subjected to ongoing harassment and mistreatment at the hands of my property manager. Even in the new unit, my dishwasher is flooding, and drains are clogged. I was told during the legal consult that I needed to find a new place to live immediately before I could pursue any lawsuit or legal action. Additionally, the lawyer told me that the harassment is most likely just going to continue to get worse, which I agree with.
My mental and physical health is suffering tremendously, and every day, I continue to deteriorate. Unfortunately, getting into a new apartment is extremely difficult. I do not have good credit, and apartments are gouging prices, making it extremely difficult to get into. I am still paying rent here and am not financially sound enough to pay the first, last, and security deposit somewhere else. I barely scrape the bottom of the barrel to pay rent as it is. I take care of my disabled partner full time as he is completely bedridden, and I have no help. It’s all me. I am not trying to beg or ask for handouts. I hate that it has come to this, and if I had any other option, I would take anything. Any support, whether it’s advice, assistance, a donation, or a share, is extremely appreciated.
My name is Sydney Sikes, and I am raising money because I was forced to live in an extremely dangerous, uninhabitable apartment containing massive amounts of toxic mold that flooded so badly that I was walking around in puddles for over three months. I lost absolutely everything that I owned, including my home, all due to the landlord's negligence. I need help because I have lost all of my belongings, every single thing that I own. I have to start completely over, and I have nothing left. Read Below for my story...
----NBC 10 Philadelphia did a segment on my apartment, which is linked to this fundraiser if you want to see a little bit about the complex and some more real-life footage of the mold in my apartment. As well as some other tenant's stories of similar experiences.---
The Wood's apartment complex has put me through a living nightmare. I have been extremely traumatized and suffered horribly at their hands. I am completely devastated and displaced. I was forced to live in an extremely dangerous, uninhabitable apartment that contained massive amounts of toxic mold and was flooded so badly that I was walking around in puddles. I lost absolutely everything.
The township brought in a mold specialist who confirmed that my unit has highly toxic black mold and wrote a 21-page report.
For over a year and a half, I unknowingly lived in a dangerous apartment, breathing in actively growing mold and large amounts of water accumulating behind the ceilings, walls, and floorboards. The mold got so bad that it came through the apartment in extreme volumes.
However, the apartment complex was allegedly aware of the leak and did nothing to fix it before or even after it was too late.
I discovered this in June of 2024. This all came to a head when water started breaking through the floorboards, baseboards, etc, flooding the entire bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom of my 400 ft apartment. The flooding was so significant that I was walking around in at least a half-inch of water. On top of the water came mold. When it first popped up, it was only four small dots, and I immediately reported it to my maintenance and property manager. They ignored my service requests and eventually my pleas as days turned to weeks, to months as the mold spread like wildfire onto every wall of my home and furniture, my belongings I attempted to save, and even my metal bedframe I was forced to sleep on.
I was forced to live there for over three months while I watched the mold grow around me and water all over my floor.
After months of being run in circles by my property manager, I had no choice but to call the fire marshall and the township. They came and said it was one of the worst cases of mold they had ever seen. They immediately condemned my unit and told us we had to leave everything behind. No single item I owned was to be taken with me because even the belongings that didn't have visible mold were contaminated with mold spores that would grow anywhere they were taken.
It's entirely the fault of Rushmore Management and the property manager at the Woods. They denied me a safe place to live and ignored my pleas that I was suffering in horrible living conditions. They were utterly negligent, and I wouldn't be in this horrific situation if it weren't for their neglect to treat me like a human being. Additionally, they refuse to pay for any of my lost property or any of my moving costs or even attempt to rectify any of the pain and suffering they have caused me. Additionally, they continue to charge me extremely high rent while living in those conditions, and if I were to break my lease, I would have had to leave immediately with nowhere to go. Additionally, my renter's insurance doesn't cover anything I lost because the mold signifies it was an ongoing issue.
When I say I have nothing left, I mean NOTHING.
Additionally, we are suffering from breathing problems, coughing, sneezing, and more health problems. I have developed rashes, itchy eyes, and scalp, along with breathing problems, while my pup has also been struggling with breathing issues and getting mold-induced ear infections and skin problems and has been to the vet several times.
After pressure from the township, the complex finally moved me into a different unit but refused to pay for all my lost property, belongings, clothes, and everything else. They also refused to adjust my rent or do anything to take responsibility and right their wrongs. I had no furniture and had to sleep on the bare hardwood floor of my apartment. I need help piecing my home and my life back together.
This entire experience has financially burdened me as I have very little income since I take care of my disabled fiance full time and am paying extremely high rent and bills even still to keep a roof over our heads and barely have enough to survive before all of this tragedy. I don't have the means to replace absolutely everything I have ever owned. I have always tried to work hard and hate asking and begging others for help, but I am at my wit's end and don't know what else to do. The donations will be used to buy furniture, clothing, household appliances, food, and other necessities.
I'm extremely grateful for any contribution, no matter how small. It is an amazing blessing that will make a massive difference. Please take a moment to click the link below to donate. Even a simple share would be so helpful, and I'd be more than grateful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
*In Lieu of donations, we also have a Walmart list. Anything on the list is simply a general idea for some of the needed items.
Additionally, I would like to thank everyone who has donated so far. I cannot begin to thank you enough for already making such an incredible impact on my current situation. I appreciate every single person more than I can put into words. ❤️
Organizer
Sydney Sikes
Organizer
Ambler, PA