Starting From Scratch

Our journey began with a devastating house fire that destroyed our home and all of our belongings. We lost everything in an instant, leaving us with nothing but the clothes on our backs. As we tried to pick up the pieces, my beloved grandmother, who had been a pillar of support for us, fell gravely ill. For the last few years of her life, I dedicated myself to being her end-of-life caretaker, providing her with the love and care she needed in her final days.

During this difficult time, my family member decided to sell our family home. Despite my efforts and the sacrifices I made to care for our grandmother, he sold the house and left us with only $2000. With nowhere else to go and insufficient funds to secure new housing, my daughter and I were left homeless.

As if these challenges weren’t enough, I found myself trapped in an abusive relationship. After enduring years of pain and suffering, I finally found the courage to defend myself and escape the abuse. Unfortunately, this act of self-defense resulted in a criminal record, further complicating my ability to find stable employment and housing.

Currently, my daughter and I are living in my sister’s car, struggling to survive day by day. We have no permanent address and no access to government assistance because of it. Despite these hardships, I remain determined as I go to work towards my degree and work to provide a better life for my daughter and to rebuild our lives from scratch.