Support Mike and Stevie Through Tough Times

Our family has encountered significant challenges over the past several years, and we are reaching out for support during this particularly difficult time.

Our journey of support began in 2014 when our immediate family of four welcomed Stevie’s elderly grandmother, ensuring she could live comfortably after an emergency forced her to leave her home.

In 2017, our oldest niece, facing her own struggles, came to live with us to heal and prepare for adulthood. Last November, she became a single mom. We continue to support her and her child, especially since she receives no help from the father.

After taking in Stevie’s grandmother and niece, we also assisted various family members in finding their footing and encouraged them to thrive.

Our family further expanded in 2021 when Stevie became the legal guardian of our three nephews and one niece following the tragic loss of their mother, transforming our household into a bustling family of 11. At this point, Stevie’s grandmother moved in with other family due to our home becoming overcrowded, and we faced the challenge of losing friends due to the kids’ behavior while we struggled to stay together until finding our current home.

In addition to these responsibilities, Stevie has been an active member of the CUUPs Tampa community since 2017. Following COVID, she deepened her involvement, providing support and connection for our family, which has been a source of strength.

In August, Stevie’s brother faced homelessness after an illegal eviction, prompting us to welcome him and his kids until they could secure housing. Despite his best efforts, he navigates the challenges of disability and limited funds.

Amidst adapting to our expanded family of 15, Michael was diagnosed with non-alcoholic Stage 4 Cirrhosis of the Liver, causing him to miss work and significantly impacting our stability. He is currently undergoing treatment for both mental and physical health. We strive to find ways to manage our financial situation, but challenges persist. Our son’s diagnosis of Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) requires a strict diet, adding to our financial strain despite Medicaid covering his medical needs.

The children's behavioral and health needs have made it incredibly difficult for Stevie to work outside the home. Her days are filled with meeting their diverse needs and attending various therapies for half of the children daily. Adding a full-time job would jeopardize our family's stability and health. She operates an online business offering health, wellness, and personal care products, with plans to introduce planners soon, but it’s not sufficient to cover our current financial shortfall.

We are currently three months behind on our crucial car payment, which is essential for transportation, and struggling to provide groceries. Additionally, we anticipate an extra $500 in utility costs as our prepaid amounts deplete faster than anticipated.

Stevie underwent a full hysterectomy in Jacksoville, FL on September 26th, during Hurricane Helene, and is currently unable to engage in strenuous activities for 6-8 weeks. Amidst this, our household experienced an outbreak of flu, causing Mike to miss even more work. While our home in Pasco County, FL suffered no damage from Milton, accessing resources has been challenging due to the local food banks being impacted by the storm.

Our goal is to raise $5,000 to cover these immediate expenses and help us regain our stability. Every dollar raised will directly support our children's needs, ensuring they have the foundation to thrive.

We are incredibly grateful for any contribution, no matter how small. Your generosity will alleviate our financial burden and bring hope and comfort to our family during this challenging period. If you wish to help in other ways, please feel free to reach out to me directly through Facebook.

Your support means the world to us. Thank you for taking the time to read our story.

If you can't contribute, sharing our story with your network would be greatly appreciated.

Click here to see what Stevie is doing these days!