Knowing Tags

Some moths ago, I came home from a normal day at work, happy to see my two little boys (Josh 3 and Liam 4 months) and what I used to consider my better half. I walked in to find the house empty - no note, no indication of what had happened. I toyed around with calling the police, but it was clear this wasn't a missing persons case, or a robbery or anything else other than what it was. Everything was gone. Phone disconnected, bank accounts cleared out, credit cards closed. Suddenly it was me, the house and the car and nothing else. After a few days of searching, talking to family, friends and yes even filing a police report - not they cared much - I discovered I had been dumped for a guy my wife had been seeing for months. We has only just signed the lease less than a month before, and I thought we were really happy together. There were no signs - nothing that I saw at least. This really isn't the part that hurts, I can live with all this; it's her life and her decision. What really hurts is not seeing my boys.

During the first few days I didn't work, too busy trying to piece together what had gone on and why and how it had come to this right under my nose. The rent still needed to be paid, even though the house was unfurnished and too big for me alone. I was (and still am) locked into the lease! Problem number one.

Problem number two is rather more complex. Last Friday I received two letters. The first from a solicitor (our version of what you would call a lawyer) informing me of divorce proceedings and the second was sent a letter from the Child Support Agency informing me my wife is seeking child support payments from me. Now, I'm no deadbeat dad! I think all parents should pay for their children's needs but here I am - rent on a house I don't need, no furniture (some friends have lent me a TV and cooking utensils and a couch), no money to contest the proceedings and on top of that she wants me to pay child support while she's shacked up and living a 'normal' life with my boys, whom I haven't seen since.

I've seen a solicitor who advised me he wouldn't bill me for the first meeting - we talked about the situation, and what he could do from here... It requires more than I have, to achieve what I want and what I think is fair! All I want to do is split our assets 60/40 her favour (she has the kids). Get out of this lease that I'm legally locked into, and get shared custody of my beautiful little boys. Problem is she has the assets and without a court order to either return a portion to me or divest herself of some of the assets so I can be compensated, I can't pay a solicitor and barrister to get the money to do all this. Once it's all settled I'll happily pay my child support requirements, see my boys and leave her out of my life, seeing that's what she wants.

My solicitor has told me I could be up for as much as $10,000, but $6000 should be a good starting point. His firm wont proceed without knowing they'll be paid - fair enough, but what's a man to do in this situation?

I am literally begging for $6000. I haven't wanted for anything in my life - I've always worked and worked hard for what I had, but when it's all taken away from you, you realise how vulnerable we all are. I'm pledging that whatever I receive from this site that's not used in the case, I will pay forward, to another needy soul from this site. Please help... My heart and thanks, and that of my boys will go out to you.

Update: 6th Jan 2012. I've managed to get the proceedings heard at a later date, due to my personal situation. But nothing has changed. I still don't have the funds to fight this and to date not one response to my plea for help. I'm begging - literally for some assistance. I haven't seen my boys since December and I can't fight this without your help.

Update: 25th May 2012
I have nothing to fight her with. No funds, no will and no motivation. The house has been re-leased and the owner has started legal proceedings against me, I have nothing but what she left me. I am trying my hardest to provide some money for my two kids - that I haven't seen since December. I can't go on like this. No-one can!

I used up my savings to adopt a child from a bad situation. I am sick with worry not knowing how I will pay my bills. I'm in my mid 50's and am haven't been able to get a job. I do not have a college education. If I could get enough money to get ahead on my bills, I would like to go to nursing school so I can more easily pay my bills and help others in need.

Please help this desperate mom.

My family is in a crises (HELP). You may even been in my shoes, I am a mother of four wonderful children, my youngest who keeps a smile is disabled, all the while not knowing he's the one keeping me sane.
The oldest shy of 18 has ran off probly not wanting to burden the situation further. I am desperate need of help with any finance that can be spared and any is plenty and some is.better than none. I would be in debt with all that can help my life, my circle is not complete, my family is falling miserably. From motel to motel or here and there. Anything would due as long as everyday isn't a move.burdenbrden the cituation ny further. Now I've exau

i owe a 20000 dollar student loan and my ex girlfriend took out credit cards under my name without me knowing and ruined my credit. so i owe extra 10,000. i am ruined if anyone would like to help God bless you. the lord gives to those that give to others luke 6:38. i am an example of how a girl friend can really mess up your life, beware of evil people and get to know them first before you let them into your life.

Four months ago, my children and I came home to find alarms, smoke, and fear. The garage next to our apartment building was going up in flames. Knowing that our family car was parked inside, our hearts began to sink. The fire department arrived, and seemed to have the situation under control, until cars parked inside the garage began to explode. The flames reached our apartment building, and it too began to go up in flames. From across the street, our family, and several others, watched our homes disappear behind clouds of black smoke. For the next couple of hours, fireman tried to put out the flames, but by the time the fire was contained, our home was nothing but burnt brick and ash. We thank God that our family wasn’t in the building, and that no other residents were hurt.
We have our family, but we lost everything else. Nothing was salvageable after the fire. Trying to explain that to my two little girls was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. You never realize how much clothing, food, beds, or a teddy bear, mean until you don’t have any of the above. With the blessing of a few local charities, we have been given some clothing and access to food pantries. With the loss of our vehicle, though, I was no longer able to work for my employer. I found another full time job, and am thankful for the opportunity, but I am making far less income now. We now live in a motel. It is close to public transit, and it’s a place to lay our heads.
Local housing agencies have long waiting lists, and cannot help us at this time. We want, so badly, to have a place to call home. My two wonderful little girls have taken this whole situation in such stride. They are thankful and excited for the most basic things, and it makes me so proud. They are what get me through these hard times. We are struggling to keep afloat, and dream of rebuilding our lives. To sleep in your own bed, have the ability to cook dinner on a stove, or write an address on a form, seem like such trivial things, but these are things our family can’t do. I want more than anything to make a new home for my girls.
Our family is asking for the help and kindness of others. We are asking for any help you’re willing to give, so that we can start to get our life back on track. It would be more than a blessing to our family. It would be a home.

Four months ago, my children and I came home to find alarms, smoke, and fear. The garage next to our apartment building was going up in flames. Knowing that our family car was parked inside, our hearts began to sink. The fire department arrived, and seemed to have the situation under control, until cars parked inside the garage began to explode. The flames reached our apartment building, and it too began to go up in flames. From across the street, our family, and several others, watched our homes disappear behind clouds of black smoke. For the next couple of hours, fireman tried to put out the flames, but by the time the fire was contained, our home was nothing but burnt brick and ash. We thank God that our family wasn’t in the building, and that no other residents were hurt.
We have our family, but we lost everything else. Nothing was salvageable after the fire. Trying to explain that to my two little girls was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. You never realize how much clothing, food, beds, or a teddy bear, mean until you don’t have any of the above. With the blessing of a few local charities, we have been given some clothing and access to food pantries. With the loss of our vehicle, though, I was no longer able to work for my employer. I found another full time job, and am thankful for the opportunity, but I am making far less income now. We now live in a motel. It is close to public transit, and it’s a place to lay our heads.
Local housing agencies have long waiting lists, and cannot help us at this time. We want, so badly, to have a place to call home. My two wonderful little girls have taken this whole situation in such stride. They are thankful and excited for the most basic things, and it makes me so proud. They are what get me through these hard times. We are struggling to keep afloat, and dream of rebuilding our lives. To sleep in your own bed, have the ability to cook dinner on a stove, or write an address on a form, seem like such trivial things, but these are things our family can’t do. I want more than anything to make a new home for my girls.
Our family is asking for the help and kindness of others. We are asking for any help you’re willing to give, so that we can start to get our life back on track. It would be more than a blessing to our family. It would be a home.

Four months ago, my children and I came home to find alarms, smoke, and fear. The garage next to our apartment building was going up in flames. Knowing that our family car was parked inside, our hearts began to sink. The fire department arrived, and seemed to have the situation under control, until cars parked inside the garage began to explode. The flames reached our apartment building, and it too began to go up in flames. From across the street, our family, and several others, watched our homes disappear behind clouds of black smoke. For the next couple of hours, fireman tried to put out the flames, but by the time the fire was contained, our home was nothing but burnt brick and ash. We thank God that our family wasn’t in the building, and that no other residents were hurt.
We have our family, but we lost everything else. Nothing was salvageable after the fire. Trying to explain that to my two little girls was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. You never realize how much clothing, food, beds, or a teddy bear, mean until you don’t have any of the above. With the blessing of a few local charities, we have been given some clothing and access to food pantries. With the loss of our vehicle, though, I was no longer able to work for my employer. I found another full time job, and am thankful for the opportunity, but I am making far less income now. We now live in a motel. It is close to public transit, and it’s a place to lay our heads.
Local housing agencies have long waiting lists, and cannot help us at this time. We want, so badly, to have a place to call home. My two wonderful little girls have taken this whole situation in such stride. They are thankful and excited for the most basic things, and it makes me so proud. They are what get me through these hard times. We are struggling to keep afloat, and dream of rebuilding our lives. To sleep in your own bed, have the ability to cook dinner on a stove, or write an address on a form, seem like such trivial things, but these are things our family can’t do. I want more than anything to make a new home for my girls.
Our family is asking for the help and kindness of others. We are asking for any help you’re willing to give, so that we can start to get our life back on track. It would be more than a blessing to our family. It would be a home.

Four months ago, my children and I came home to find alarms, smoke, and fear. The garage next to our apartment building was going up in flames. Knowing that our family car was parked inside, our hearts began to sink. The fire department arrived, and seemed to have the situation under control, until cars parked inside the garage began to explode. The flames reached our apartment building, and it too began to go up in flames. From across the street, our family, and several others, watched our homes disappear behind clouds of black smoke. For the next couple of hours, fireman tried to put out the flames, but by the time the fire was contained, our home was nothing but burnt brick and ash. We thank God that our family wasn’t in the building, and that no other residents were hurt.
We have our family, but we lost everything else. Nothing was salvageable after the fire. Trying to explain that to my two little girls was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. You never realize how much clothing, food, beds, or a teddy bear, mean until you don’t have any of the above. With the blessing of a few local charities, we have been given some clothing and access to food pantries. With the loss of our vehicle, though, I was no longer able to work for my employer. I found another full time job, and am thankful for the opportunity, but I am making far less income now. We now live in a motel. It is close to public transit, and it’s a place to lay our heads.
Local housing agencies have long waiting lists, and cannot help us at this time. We want, so badly, to have a place to call home. My two wonderful little girls have taken this whole situation in such stride. They are thankful and excited for the most basic things, and it makes me so proud. They are what get me through these hard times. We are struggling to keep afloat, and dream of rebuilding our lives. To sleep in your own bed, have the ability to cook dinner on a stove, or write an address on a form, seem like such trivial things, but these are things our family can’t do. I want more than anything to make a new home for my girls.
Our family is asking for the help and kindness of others. We are asking for any help you’re willing to give, so that we can start to get our life back on track. It would be more than a blessing to our family. It would be a home.

Four months ago, my children and I came home to find alarms, smoke, and fear. The garage next to our apartment building was going up in flames. Knowing that our family car was parked inside, our hearts began to sink. The fire department arrived, and seemed to have the situation under control, until cars parked inside the garage began to explode. The flames reached our apartment building, and it too began to go up in flames. From across the street, our family, and several others, watched our homes disappear behind clouds of black smoke. For the next couple of hours, fireman tried to put out the flames, but by the time the fire was contained, our home was nothing but burnt brick and ash. We thank God that our family wasn’t in the building, and that no other residents were hurt.
We have our family, but we lost everything else. Nothing was salvageable after the fire. Trying to explain that to my two little girls was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. You never realize how much clothing, food, beds, or a teddy bear, mean until you don’t have any of the above. With the blessing of a few local charities, we have been given some clothing and access to food pantries. With the loss of our vehicle, though, I was no longer able to work for my employer. I found another full time job, and am thankful for the opportunity, but I am making far less income now. We now live in a motel. It is close to public transit, and it’s a place to lay our heads.
Local housing agencies have long waiting lists, and cannot help us at this time. We want, so badly, to have a place to call home. My two wonderful little girls have taken this whole situation in such stride. They are thankful and excited for the most basic things, and it makes me so proud. They are what get me through these hard times. We are struggling to keep afloat, and dream of rebuilding our lives. To sleep in your own bed, have the ability to cook dinner on a stove, or write an address on a form, seem like such trivial things, but these are things our family can’t do. I want more than anything to make a new home for my girls.
Our family is asking for the help and kindness of others. We are asking for any help you’re willing to give, so that we can start to get our life back on track. It would be more than a blessing to our family. It would be a home.

Four months ago, my children and I came home to find alarms, smoke, and fear. The garage next to our apartment building was going up in flames. Knowing that our family car was parked inside, our hearts began to sink. The fire department arrived, and seemed to have the situation under control, until cars parked inside the garage began to explode. The flames reached our apartment building, and it too began to go up in flames. From across the street, our family, and several others, watched our homes disappear behind clouds of black smoke. For the next couple of hours, fireman tried to put out the flames, but by the time the fire was contained, our home was nothing but burnt brick and ash. We thank God that our family wasn’t in the building, and that no other residents were hurt.
We have our family, but we lost everything else. Nothing was salvageable after the fire. Trying to explain that to my two little girls was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. You never realize how much clothing, food, beds, or a teddy bear, mean until you don’t have any of the above. With the blessing of a few local charities, we have been given some clothing and access to food pantries. With the loss of our vehicle, though, I was no longer able to work for my employer. I found another full time job, and am thankful for the opportunity, but I am making far less income now. We now live in a motel. It is close to public transit, and it’s a place to lay our heads.
Local housing agencies have long waiting lists, and cannot help us at this time. We want, so badly, to have a place to call home. My two wonderful little girls have taken this whole situation in such stride. They are thankful and excited for the most basic things, and it makes me so proud. They are what get me through these hard times. We are struggling to keep afloat, and dream of rebuilding our lives. To sleep in your own bed, have the ability to cook dinner on a stove, or write an address on a form, seem like such trivial things, but these are things our family can’t do. I want more than anything to make a new home for my girls.
Our family is asking for the help and kindness of others. We are asking for any help you’re willing to give, so that we can start to get our life back on track. It would be more than a blessing to our family. It would be a home.

Four months ago, my children and I came home to find alarms, smoke, and fear. The garage next to our apartment building was going up in flames. Knowing that our family car was parked inside, our hearts began to sink. The fire department arrived, and seemed to have the situation under control, until cars parked inside the garage began to explode. The flames reached our apartment building, and it too began to go up in flames. From across the street, our family, and several others, watched our homes disappear behind clouds of black smoke. For the next couple of hours, fireman tried to put out the flames, but by the time the fire was contained, our home was nothing but burnt brick and ash. We thank God that our family wasn’t in the building, and that no other residents were hurt.
We have our family, but we lost everything else. Nothing was salvageable after the fire. Trying to explain that to my two little girls was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. You never realize how much clothing, food, beds, or a teddy bear, mean until you don’t have any of the above. With the blessing of a few local charities, we have been given some clothing and access to food pantries. With the loss of our vehicle, though, I was no longer able to work for my employer. I found another full time job, and am thankful for the opportunity, but I am making far less income now. We now live in a motel. It is close to public transit, and it’s a place to lay our heads.
Local housing agencies have long waiting lists, and cannot help us at this time. We want, so badly, to have a place to call home. My two wonderful little girls have taken this whole situation in such stride. They are thankful and excited for the most basic things, and it makes me so proud. They are what get me through these hard times. We are struggling to keep afloat, and dream of rebuilding our lives. To sleep in your own bed, have the ability to cook dinner on a stove, or write an address on a form, seem like such trivial things, but these are things our family can’t do. I want more than anything to make a new home for my girls.
Our family is asking for the help and kindness of others. We are asking for any help you’re willing to give, so that we can start to get our life back on track. It would be more than a blessing to our family. It would be a home.

Four months ago, my children and I came home to find alarms, smoke, and fear. The garage next to our apartment building was going up in flames. Knowing that our family car was parked inside, our hearts began to sink. The fire department arrived, and seemed to have the situation under control, until cars parked inside the garage began to explode. The flames reached our apartment building, and it too began to go up in flames. From across the street, our family, and several others, watched our homes disappear behind clouds of black smoke. For the next couple of hours, fireman tried to put out the flames, but by the time the fire was contained, our home was nothing but burnt brick and ash. We thank God that our family wasn’t in the building, and that no other residents were hurt.
We have our family, but we lost everything else. Nothing was salvageable after the fire. Trying to explain that to my two little girls was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. You never realize how much clothing, food, beds, or a teddy bear, mean until you don’t have any of the above. With the blessing of a few local charities, we have been given some clothing and access to food pantries. With the loss of our vehicle, though, I was no longer able to work for my employer. I found another full time job, and am thankful for the opportunity, but I am making far less income now. We now live in a motel. It is close to public transit, and it’s a place to lay our heads.
Local housing agencies have long waiting lists, and cannot help us at this time. We want, so badly, to have a place to call home. My two wonderful little girls have taken this whole situation in such stride. They are thankful and excited for the most basic things, and it makes me so proud. They are what get me through these hard times. We are struggling to keep afloat, and dream of rebuilding our lives. To sleep in your own bed, have the ability to cook dinner on a stove, or write an address on a form, seem like such trivial things, but these are things our family can’t do. I want more than anything to make a new home for my girls.
Our family is asking for the help and kindness of others. We are asking for any help you’re willing to give, so that we can start to get our life back on track. It would be more than a blessing to our family. It would be a home.

Four months ago, my children and I came home to find alarms, smoke, and fear. The garage next to our apartment building was going up in flames. Knowing that our family car was parked inside, our hearts began to sink. The fire department arrived, and seemed to have the situation under control, until cars parked inside the garage began to explode. The flames reached our apartment building, and it too began to go up in flames. From across the street, our family, and several others, watched our homes disappear behind clouds of black smoke. For the next couple of hours, fireman tried to put out the flames, but by the time the fire was contained, our home was nothing but burnt brick and ash. We thank God that our family wasn’t in the building, and that no other residents were hurt.
We have our family, but we lost everything else. Nothing was salvageable after the fire. Trying to explain that to my two little girls was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. You never realize how much clothing, food, beds, or a teddy bear, mean until you don’t have any of the above. With the blessing of a few local charities, we have been given some clothing and access to food pantries. With the loss of our vehicle, though, I was no longer able to work for my employer. I found another full time job, and am thankful for the opportunity, but I am making far less income now. We now live in a motel. It is close to public transit, and it’s a place to lay our heads.
Local housing agencies have long waiting lists, and cannot help us at this time. We want, so badly, to have a place to call home. My two wonderful little girls have taken this whole situation in such stride. They are thankful and excited for the most basic things, and it makes me so proud. They are what get me through these hard times. We are struggling to keep afloat, and dream of rebuilding our lives. To sleep in your own bed, have the ability to cook dinner on a stove, or write an address on a form, seem like such trivial things, but these are things our family can’t do. I want more than anything to make a new home for my girls.
Our family is asking for the help and kindness of others. We are asking for any help you’re willing to give, so that we can start to get our life back on track. It would be more than a blessing to our family. It would be a home.

Since today is Mother’s Day, I wanted to share my journey thus far and what it’s meant to be a mother for me. My story is unique in that I’ve overcome various obstacles to gain what some may call normalcy. Now I’m facing a struggle in which I’m hoping to tap into the kindness of the internet in order to help me through this hurdle.

I was raised by a single parent and grew up in a town where most families were on some sort of government assistance and could barely make ends meet. I was always taught to value what I had and that hard work will always bear its fruits. My high school was filled with kids who didn’t care about getting an education. I was a introverted “nerd” who took Honors and AP classes and saw education as a way to get out of a town that didn’t have much opportunity for growth. While I valued my education, I was also bored to death, even in my “accelerated classes,” so I stupidly acted out and started to party as high school kids do. I ditched class to drink and dabbled a bit in drugs because there was nothing else to do. Even as I partied, I still managed to remain on the honor roll for all 4 years. Fast forward to the beginning of my senior year, our class had 250 kids and throughout the year approximately half of the student body dropped out at one point or another, giving up on their 14 year investment in their education. I made it to the end, but while everyone was excitedly responding to college acceptance letters, I had to throw all of mine out. Why? I was pregnant. I fully accept responsibility for my actions, but sex was not talked about in my household. I had no idea I had access to birth control or condoms and foolishly made a mistake that would change my life. I went to my prom and graduation 3 months pregnant without anyone knowing aside from my family.

The summer after graduation was spent brainstorming options and finding a job to help support my unborn child. I decided to keep the baby, thinking I would give it up for adoption. I was too immature to take care of myself, and now a baby? No way. As the months progressed, I fell in love with the baby and decided to keep her and raise her with the help of my family. I was excited but deep inside I was depressed. I really wanted to go off to college and live the life of a student living on campus, making new friends, staying up late to cram for midterms and possibly travel a bit. I couldn’t do that anymore and the thought of experiencing college in any other way didn’t entice me. I also knew if I didn’t get an education, I’d be stuck in a cycle of dead end jobs all my life. I knew I didn’t want to struggle like I’ve seen my family fight just to put a decent meal on the table and keep the lights from getting shut down.

I started college two months after my daughter was born. She was perfection and an incredible motivator. I’ve always thought that she deserves something better, beyond what I can give her but I decided to try my best to give her an amazing life. Since I just had a baby, I wanted to explore the opportunities I had outside of a traditional classroom in college. Luckily, the local community college offered online courses which only required me to be in class on the first day, at midterms and during finals week. I did this for a year and a half until I took every online course possible. Then it was time for full immersion into college. Here came daycare and having to balance college life with working and a small child.

My average day in college looked like this: we’d have to wake up at the crack of dawn so my daughter and I could ride a 45-minute bus to school. Unlike most of my classmates, I had to dash straight from work to class or go to work right after class so that I could pick up my daughter from school at a proper hour. I was very fortunate to land a job in a small office as an office assistant during college that would later prove invaluable. The pay was ok, but I was allowed to tailor my schedule to be compatible with my changing class load every semester. After our day was done came another bus ride. Once we got home, I’d have to make dinner, pack us lunch for the next day, prepare her backpack with extra clothes plus wash and prepare a day’s worth of bottles for my daughter. After I put my daughter to bed was the only time I had for homework. I’d stay up until about 2am every night doing my reading assignments or writing papers only to have to get up 3 ½ hours later to start my day again.

I did this every day for 5 ½ years.

Was it worth it? Heck yeah. I got my bachelor’s degree on my wall as proof. I am the first person in my family to ever get a degree. I have multiple relatives my age who ended up dropping out for various reasons yet I managed to graduate (with honors!) while juggling a small child and a demanding job. Aside from raising my daughter, this is what I’m most proud of thus far. I read online that less than 2% of teen moms attain a college degree before age 30. I’m stoked beyond words to be a part of that 2% (Source) I hope that this struggle and success will set an example to my daughter and show her that hard work does pay off.

After college, I worked a few jobs that I wasn’t too keen on. Too corporate, too stuffy, too bureaucratic to evoke any change and make an impact. I wanted to wake up every morning and feel inspired to go to work. I didn’t just want a paycheck, I wanted to engulf myself within organization so that I could kick ass and take names. I also wanted a 401(k), health benefits and life insurance so that my bases could be covered in old age. But mainly I wanted to wake up invigorated every morning and be able to pay my bills. After college, my daughter and I moved into our first home. I loved waking her up in her room filled with the girliest of things. I was a proud mama–on my own, college educated and living life as an independent woman.

Independent but unfulfilled. That is, until I was introduced to the CEO of my most recent employer. We hit it off immediately and within two week was offered the chance of a lifetime. I was invited to join his multimillion dollar company and close-knit team as his right hand. I’d learn all the in’s and out’s of running a business in a dynamic industry and receive a nice salary. After a bit of contemplation, I decided to resign from my stuffy job to join a company I was proud to be apart of. My job was great. It was flexible, nurturing, educational and insightful. In a few short weeks, I was in the trenches with my boss handling everything from sales to contracts to finance to HR. That is, until the company suddenly went out of business. I won’t get into the details but I was told I’d have a month before we were all let go. This was the job I wanted to settle in and dedicate years to, not just a job really but a mission to which I was dedicated.

I was laid off in March with no severance pay as the company had nothing. I had a small savings which I tapped into as I began searching for a job. I had to file for unemployment for the first time, which was hard as I’ve prided myself on not having to use government resources to pay my bills. I have almost a decade of solid work history and yet I’m struggling to find a job. Places are hiring but they’re scarce and don’t always offer pay that can support a family.

My bills are piling up and I have family and friends that are in no position to help me out. Unemployment can only pay so much and it isn’t enough to put a home-cooked meal on the table or keep everything paid. I’m in the process of starting up two businesses–one that peddles vintage finds and another that provides folks with stellar resumes to land their dream job so that I can increase my cash flow, but in the meantime, I’m asking for any donations to my cause. I’m willing to offer any services in return for a donation over $30 via paypal. There’s a button below where your transaction will be processed safely and gratefully!

Please pass this on and +1 it, favorite it, retweet it and share in any way possible! No action is too small or unappreciated.

Thank you so much for letting me share my story with you.

Since today is Mother’s Day, I wanted to share my journey thus far and what it’s meant to be a mother for me. My story is unique in that I’ve overcome various obstacles to gain what some may call normalcy. Now I’m facing a struggle in which I’m hoping to tap into the kindness of the internet in order to help me through this hurdle.

I was raised by a single parent and grew up in a town where most families were on some sort of government assistance and could barely make ends meet. I was always taught to value what I had and that hard work will always bear its fruits. My high school was filled with kids who didn’t care about getting an education. I was a introverted “nerd” who took Honors and AP classes and saw education as a way to get out of a town that didn’t have much opportunity for growth. While I valued my education, I was also bored to death, even in my “accelerated classes,” so I stupidly acted out and started to party as high school kids do. I ditched class to drink and dabbled a bit in drugs because there was nothing else to do. Even as I partied, I still managed to remain on the honor roll for all 4 years. Fast forward to the beginning of my senior year, our class had 250 kids and throughout the year approximately half of the student body dropped out at one point or another, giving up on their 14 year investment in their education. I made it to the end, but while everyone was excitedly responding to college acceptance letters, I had to throw all of mine out. Why? I was pregnant. I fully accept responsibility for my actions, but sex was not talked about in my household. I had no idea I had access to birth control or condoms and foolishly made a mistake that would change my life. I went to my prom and graduation 3 months pregnant without anyone knowing aside from my family.

The summer after graduation was spent brainstorming options and finding a job to help support my unborn child. I decided to keep the baby, thinking I would give it up for adoption. I was too immature to take care of myself, and now a baby? No way. As the months progressed, I fell in love with the baby and decided to keep her and raise her with the help of my family. I was excited but deep inside I was depressed. I really wanted to go off to college and live the life of a student living on campus, making new friends, staying up late to cram for midterms and possibly travel a bit. I couldn’t do that anymore and the thought of experiencing college in any other way didn’t entice me. I also knew if I didn’t get an education, I’d be stuck in a cycle of dead end jobs all my life. I knew I didn’t want to struggle like I’ve seen my family fight just to put a decent meal on the table and keep the lights from getting shut down.

I started college two months after my daughter was born. She was perfection and an incredible motivator. I’ve always thought that she deserves something better, beyond what I can give her but I decided to try my best to give her an amazing life. Since I just had a baby, I wanted to explore the opportunities I had outside of a traditional classroom in college. Luckily, the local community college offered online courses which only required me to be in class on the first day, at midterms and during finals week. I did this for a year and a half until I took every online course possible. Then it was time for full immersion into college. Here came daycare and having to balance college life with working and a small child.

My average day in college looked like this: we’d have to wake up at the crack of dawn so my daughter and I could ride a 45-minute bus to school. Unlike most of my classmates, I had to dash straight from work to class or go to work right after class so that I could pick up my daughter from school at a proper hour. I was very fortunate to land a job in a small office as an office assistant during college that would later prove invaluable. The pay was ok, but I was allowed to tailor my schedule to be compatible with my changing class load every semester. After our day was done came another bus ride. Once we got home, I’d have to make dinner, pack us lunch for the next day, prepare her backpack with extra clothes plus wash and prepare a day’s worth of bottles for my daughter. After I put my daughter to bed was the only time I had for homework. I’d stay up until about 2am every night doing my reading assignments or writing papers only to have to get up 3 ½ hours later to start my day again.

I did this every day for 5 ½ years.

Was it worth it? Heck yeah. I got my bachelor’s degree on my wall as proof. I am the first person in my family to ever get a degree. I have multiple relatives my age who ended up dropping out for various reasons yet I managed to graduate (with honors!) while juggling a small child and a demanding job. Aside from raising my daughter, this is what I’m most proud of thus far. I read online that less than 2% of teen moms attain a college degree before age 30. I’m stoked beyond words to be a part of that 2% (Source) I hope that this struggle and success will set an example to my daughter and show her that hard work does pay off.

After college, I worked a few jobs that I wasn’t too keen on. Too corporate, too stuffy, too bureaucratic to evoke any change and make an impact. I wanted to wake up every morning and feel inspired to go to work. I didn’t just want a paycheck, I wanted to engulf myself within organization so that I could kick ass and take names. I also wanted a 401(k), health benefits and life insurance so that my bases could be covered in old age. But mainly I wanted to wake up invigorated every morning and be able to pay my bills. After college, my daughter and I moved into our first home. I loved waking her up in her room filled with the girliest of things. I was a proud mama–on my own, college educated and living life as an independent woman.

Independent but unfulfilled. That is, until I was introduced to the CEO of my most recent employer. We hit it off immediately and within two week was offered the chance of a lifetime. I was invited to join his multimillion dollar company and close-knit team as his right hand. I’d learn all the in’s and out’s of running a business in a dynamic industry and receive a nice salary. After a bit of contemplation, I decided to resign from my stuffy job to join a company I was proud to be apart of. My job was great. It was flexible, nurturing, educational and insightful. In a few short weeks, I was in the trenches with my boss handling everything from sales to contracts to finance to HR. That is, until the company suddenly went out of business. I won’t get into the details but I was told I’d have a month before we were all let go. This was the job I wanted to settle in and dedicate years to, not just a job really but a mission to which I was dedicated.

I was laid off in March with no severance pay as the company had nothing. I had a small savings which I tapped into as I began searching for a job. I had to file for unemployment for the first time, which was hard as I’ve prided myself on not having to use government resources to pay my bills. I have almost a decade of solid work history and yet I’m struggling to find a job. Places are hiring but they’re scarce and don’t always offer pay that can support a family.

My bills are piling up and I have family and friends that are in no position to help me out. Unemployment can only pay so much and it isn’t enough to put a home-cooked meal on the table or keep everything paid. I’m in the process of starting up two businesses–one that peddles vintage finds and another that provides folks with stellar resumes to land their dream job so that I can increase my cash flow, but in the meantime, I’m asking for any donations to my cause. I’m willing to offer any services in return for a donation over $30 via paypal. There’s a button below where your transaction will be processed safely and gratefully!

Please pass this on and +1 it, favorite it, retweet it and share in any way possible! No action is too small or unappreciated.

Thank you so much for letting me share my story with you.

http://educatedsinglemom.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/i-am-the-2-or-my-life-as-a-teen-mom-2/

Since today is Mother’s Day, I wanted to share my journey thus far and what it’s meant to be a mother for me. My story is unique in that I’ve overcome various obstacles to gain what some may call normalcy. Now I’m facing a struggle in which I’m hoping to tap into the kindness of the internet in order to help me through this hurdle.

I was raised by a single parent and grew up in a town where most families were on some sort of government assistance and could barely make ends meet. I was always taught to value what I had and that hard work will always bear its fruits. My high school was filled with kids who didn’t care about getting an education. I was a introverted “nerd” who took Honors and AP classes and saw education as a way to get out of a town that didn’t have much opportunity for growth. While I valued my education, I was also bored to death, even in my “accelerated classes,” so I stupidly acted out and started to party as high school kids do. I ditched class to drink and dabbled a bit in drugs because there was nothing else to do. Even as I partied, I still managed to remain on the honor roll for all 4 years. Fast forward to the beginning of my senior year, our class had 250 kids and throughout the year approximately half of the student body dropped out at one point or another, giving up on their 14 year investment in their education. I made it to the end, but while everyone was excitedly responding to college acceptance letters, I had to throw all of mine out. Why? I was pregnant. I fully accept responsibility for my actions, but sex was not talked about in my household. I had no idea I had access to birth control or condoms and foolishly made a mistake that would change my life. I went to my prom and graduation 3 months pregnant without anyone knowing aside from my family.

The summer after graduation was spent brainstorming options and finding a job to help support my unborn child. I decided to keep the baby, thinking I would give it up for adoption. I was too immature to take care of myself, and now a baby? No way. As the months progressed, I fell in love with the baby and decided to keep her and raise her with the help of my family. I was excited but deep inside I was depressed. I really wanted to go off to college and live the life of a student living on campus, making new friends, staying up late to cram for midterms and possibly travel a bit. I couldn’t do that anymore and the thought of experiencing college in any other way didn’t entice me. I also knew if I didn’t get an education, I’d be stuck in a cycle of dead end jobs all my life. I knew I didn’t want to struggle like I’ve seen my family fight just to put a decent meal on the table and keep the lights from getting shut down.

I started college two months after my daughter was born. She was perfection and an incredible motivator. I’ve always thought that she deserves something better, beyond what I can give her but I decided to try my best to give her an amazing life. Since I just had a baby, I wanted to explore the opportunities I had outside of a traditional classroom in college. Luckily, the local community college offered online courses which only required me to be in class on the first day, at midterms and during finals week. I did this for a year and a half until I took every online course possible. Then it was time for full immersion into college. Here came daycare and having to balance college life with working and a small child.

My average day in college looked like this: we’d have to wake up at the crack of dawn so my daughter and I could ride a 45-minute bus to school. Unlike most of my classmates, I had to dash straight from work to class or go to work right after class so that I could pick up my daughter from school at a proper hour. I was very fortunate to land a job in a small office as an office assistant during college that would later prove invaluable. The pay was ok, but I was allowed to tailor my schedule to be compatible with my changing class load every semester. After our day was done came another bus ride. Once we got home, I’d have to make dinner, pack us lunch for the next day, prepare her backpack with extra clothes plus wash and prepare a day’s worth of bottles for my daughter. After I put my daughter to bed was the only time I had for homework. I’d stay up until about 2am every night doing my reading assignments or writing papers only to have to get up 3 ½ hours later to start my day again.

I did this every day for 5 ½ years.

Was it worth it? Heck yeah. I got my bachelor’s degree on my wall as proof. I am the first person in my family to ever get a degree. I have multiple relatives my age who ended up dropping out for various reasons yet I managed to graduate (with honors!) while juggling a small child and a demanding job. Aside from raising my daughter, this is what I’m most proud of thus far. I read online that less than 2% of teen moms attain a college degree before age 30. I’m stoked beyond words to be a part of that 2% (Source) I hope that this struggle and success will set an example to my daughter and show her that hard work does pay off.

After college, I worked a few jobs that I wasn’t too keen on. Too corporate, too stuffy, too bureaucratic to evoke any change and make an impact. I wanted to wake up every morning and feel inspired to go to work. I didn’t just want a paycheck, I wanted to engulf myself within organization so that I could kick ass and take names. I also wanted a 401(k), health benefits and life insurance so that my bases could be covered in old age. But mainly I wanted to wake up invigorated every morning and be able to pay my bills. After college, my daughter and I moved into our first home. I loved waking her up in her room filled with the girliest of things. I was a proud mama–on my own, college educated and living life as an independent woman.

Independent but unfulfilled. That is, until I was introduced to the CEO of my most recent employer. We hit it off immediately and within two week was offered the chance of a lifetime. I was invited to join his multimillion dollar company and close-knit team as his right hand. I’d learn all the in’s and out’s of running a business in a dynamic industry and receive a nice salary. After a bit of contemplation, I decided to resign from my stuffy job to join a company I was proud to be apart of. My job was great. It was flexible, nurturing, educational and insightful. In a few short weeks, I was in the trenches with my boss handling everything from sales to contracts to finance to HR. That is, until the company suddenly went out of business. I won’t get into the details but I was told I’d have a month before we were all let go. This was the job I wanted to settle in and dedicate years to, not just a job really but a mission to which I was dedicated.

I was laid off in March with no severance pay as the company had nothing. I had a small savings which I tapped into as I began searching for a job. I had to file for unemployment for the first time, which was hard as I’ve prided myself on not having to use government resources to pay my bills. I have almost a decade of solid work history and yet I’m struggling to find a job. Places are hiring but they’re scarce and don’t always offer pay that can support a family.

My bills are piling up and I have family and friends that are in no position to help me out. Unemployment can only pay so much and it isn’t enough to put a home-cooked meal on the table or keep everything paid. I’m in the process of starting up two businesses–one that peddles vintage finds and another that provides folks with stellar resumes to land their dream job so that I can increase my cash flow, but in the meantime, I’m asking for any donations to my cause. I’m willing to offer any services in return for a donation over $30 via paypal. There’s a button below where your transaction will be processed safely and gratefully!

Please pass this on and +1 it, favorite it, retweet it and share in any way possible! No action is too small or unappreciated.

Thank you so much for letting me share my story with you.

Four months ago, my children and I came home to find alarms, smoke, and fear. The garage next to our apartment building was going up in flames. Knowing that our family car was parked inside, our hearts began to sink. The fire department arrived, and seemed to have the situation under control, until cars parked inside the garage began to explode. The flames reached our apartment building, and it too began to go up in flames. From across the street, our family, and several others, watched our homes disappear behind clouds of black smoke. For the next couple of hours, fireman tried to put out the flames, but by the time the fire was contained, our home was nothing but burnt brick and ash. We thank God that our family wasn’t in the building, and that no other residents were hurt.
We have our family, but we lost everything else. Nothing was salvageable after the fire. Trying to explain that to my two little girls was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. You never realize how much clothing, food, beds, or a teddy bear, mean until you don’t have any of the above. With the blessing of a few local charities, we have been given some clothing and access to food pantries. With the loss of our vehicle, though, I was no longer able to work for my employer. I found another full time job, and am thankful for the opportunity, but I am making far less income now. We now live in a motel. It is close to public transit, and it’s a place to lay our heads.
Local housing agencies have long waiting lists, and cannot help us at this time. We want, so badly, to have a place to call home. My two wonderful little girls have taken this whole situation in such stride. They are thankful and excited for the most basic things, and it makes me so proud. They are what get me through these hard times. We are struggling to keep afloat, and dream of rebuilding our lives. To sleep in your own bed, have the ability to cook dinner on a stove, or write an address on a form, seem like such trivial things, but these are things our family can’t do. I want more than anything to make a new home for my girls.
Our family is asking for the help and kindness of others. We are asking for any help you’re willing to give, so that we can start to get our life back on track. It would be more than a blessing to our family. It would be a home.

Four months ago, my children and I came home to find alarms, smoke, and fear. The garage next to our apartment building was going up in flames. Knowing that our family car was parked inside, our hearts began to sink. The fire department arrived, and seemed to have the situation under control, until cars parked inside the garage began to explode. The flames reached our apartment building, and it too began to go up in flames. From across the street, our family, and several others, watched our homes disappear behind clouds of black smoke. For the next couple of hours, fireman tried to put out the flames, but by the time the fire was contained, our home was nothing but burnt brick and ash. We thank God that our family wasn’t in the building, and that no other residents were hurt.
We have our family, but we lost everything else. Nothing was salvageable after the fire. Trying to explain that to my two little girls was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. You never realize how much clothing, food, beds, or a teddy bear, mean until you don’t have any of the above. With the blessing of a few local charities, we have been given some clothing and access to food pantries. With the loss of our vehicle, though, I was no longer able to work for my employer. I found another full time job, and am thankful for the opportunity, but I am making far less income now. We now live in a motel. It is close to public transit, and it’s a place to lay our heads.
Local housing agencies have long waiting lists, and cannot help us at this time. We want, so badly, to have a place to call home. My two wonderful little girls have taken this whole situation in such stride. They are thankful and excited for the most basic things, and it makes me so proud. They are what get me through these hard times. We are struggling to keep afloat, and dream of rebuilding our lives. To sleep in your own bed, have the ability to cook dinner on a stove, or write an address on a form, seem like such trivial things, but these are things our family can’t do. I want more than anything to make a new home for my girls.
Our family is asking for the help and kindness of others. We are asking for any help you’re willing to give, so that we can start to get our life back on track. It would be more than a blessing to our family. It would be a home.

Four months ago, my children and I came home to find alarms, smoke, and fear. The garage next to our apartment building was going up in flames. Knowing that our family car was parked inside, our hearts began to sink. The fire department arrived, and seemed to have the situation under control, until cars parked inside the garage began to explode. The flames reached our apartment building, and it too began to go up in flames. From across the street, our family, and several others, watched our homes disappear behind clouds of black smoke. For the next couple of hours, fireman tried to put out the flames, but by the time the fire was contained, our home was nothing but burnt brick and ash. We thank God that our family wasn’t in the building, and that no other residents were hurt.
We have our family, but we lost everything else. Nothing was salvageable after the fire. Trying to explain that to my two little girls was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. You never realize how much clothing, food, beds, or a teddy bear, mean until you don’t have any of the above. With the blessing of a few local charities, we have been given some clothing and access to food pantries. With the loss of our vehicle, though, I was no longer able to work for my employer. I found another full time job, and am thankful for the opportunity, but I am making far less income now. We now live in a motel. It is close to public transit, and it’s a place to lay our heads.
Local housing agencies have long waiting lists, and cannot help us at this time. We want, so badly, to have a place to call home. My two wonderful little girls have taken this whole situation in such stride. They are thankful and excited for the most basic things, and it makes me so proud. They are what get me through these hard times. We are struggling to keep afloat, and dream of rebuilding our lives. To sleep in your own bed, have the ability to cook dinner on a stove, or write an address on a form, seem like such trivial things, but these are things our family can’t do. I want more than anything to make a new home for my girls.
Our family is asking for the help and kindness of others. We are asking for any help you’re willing to give, so that we can start to get our life back on track. It would be more than a blessing to our family. It would be a home.

Four months ago, my children and I came home to find alarms, smoke, and fear. The garage next to our apartment building was going up in flames. Knowing that our family car was parked inside, our hearts began to sink. The fire department arrived, and seemed to have the situation under control, until cars parked inside the garage began to explode. The flames reached our apartment building, and it too began to go up in flames. From across the street, our family, and several others, watched our homes disappear behind clouds of black smoke. For the next couple of hours, fireman tried to put out the flames, but by the time the fire was contained, our home was nothing but burnt brick and ash. We thank God that our family wasn’t in the building, and that no other residents were hurt.
We have our family, but we lost everything else. Nothing was salvageable after the fire. Trying to explain that to my two little girls was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. You never realize how much clothing, food, beds, or a teddy bear, mean until you don’t have any of the above. With the blessing of a few local charities, we have been given some clothing and access to food pantries. With the loss of our vehicle, though, I was no longer able to work for my employer. I found another full time job, and am thankful for the opportunity, but I am making far less income now. We now live in a motel. It is close to public transit, and it’s a place to lay our heads.
Local housing agencies have long waiting lists, and cannot help us at this time. We want, so badly, to have a place to call home. My two wonderful little girls have taken this whole situation in such stride. They are thankful and excited for the most basic things, and it makes me so proud. They are what get me through these hard times. We are struggling to keep afloat, and dream of rebuilding our lives. To sleep in your own bed, have the ability to cook dinner on a stove, or write an address on a form, seem like such trivial things, but these are things our family can’t do. I want more than anything to make a new home for my girls.
Our family is asking for the help and kindness of others. We are asking for any help you’re willing to give, so that we can start to get our life back on track. It would be more than a blessing to our family. It would be a home.

Four months ago, my children and I came home to find alarms, smoke, and fear. The garage next to our apartment building was going up in flames. Knowing that our family car was parked inside, our hearts began to sink. The fire department arrived, and seemed to have the situation under control, until cars parked inside the garage began to explode. The flames reached our apartment building, and it too began to go up in flames. From across the street, our family, and several others, watched our homes disappear behind clouds of black smoke. For the next couple of hours, fireman tried to put out the flames, but by the time the fire was contained, our home was nothing but burnt brick and ash. We thank God that our family wasn’t in the building, and that no other residents were hurt.
We have our family, but we lost everything else. Nothing was salvageable after the fire. Trying to explain that to my two little girls was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. You never realize how much clothing, food, beds, or a teddy bear, mean until you don’t have any of the above. With the blessing of a few local charities, we have been given some clothing and access to food pantries. With the loss of our vehicle, though, I was no longer able to work for my employer. I found another full time job, and am thankful for the opportunity, but I am making far less income now. We now live in a motel. It is close to public transit, and it’s a place to lay our heads.
Local housing agencies have long waiting lists, and cannot help us at this time. We want, so badly, to have a place to call home. My two wonderful little girls have taken this whole situation in such stride. They are thankful and excited for the most basic things, and it makes me so proud. They are what get me through these hard times. We are struggling to keep afloat, and dream of rebuilding our lives. To sleep in your own bed, have the ability to cook dinner on a stove, or write an address on a form, seem like such trivial things, but these are things our family can’t do. I want more than anything to make a new home for my girls.
Our family is asking for the help and kindness of others. We are asking for any help you’re willing to give, so that we can start to get our life back on track. It would be more than a blessing to our family. It would be a home.

Four months ago, my children and I came home to find alarms, smoke, and fear. The garage next to our apartment building was going up in flames. Knowing that our family car was parked inside, our hearts began to sink. The fire department arrived, and seemed to have the situation under control, until cars parked inside the garage began to explode. The flames reached our apartment building, and it too began to go up in flames. From across the street, our family, and several others, watched our homes disappear behind clouds of black smoke. For the next couple of hours, fireman tried to put out the flames, but by the time the fire was contained, our home was nothing but burnt brick and ash. We thank God that our family wasn’t in the building, and that no other residents were hurt.
We have our family, but we lost everything else. Nothing was salvageable after the fire. Trying to explain that to my two little girls was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. You never realize how much clothing, food, beds, or a teddy bear, mean until you don’t have any of the above. With the blessing of a few local charities, we have been given some clothing and access to food pantries. With the loss of our vehicle, though, I was no longer able to work for my employer. I found another full time job, and am thankful for the opportunity, but I am making far less income now. We now live in a motel. It is close to public transit, and it’s a place to lay our heads.
Local housing agencies have long waiting lists, and cannot help us at this time. We want, so badly, to have a place to call home. My two wonderful little girls have taken this whole situation in such stride. They are thankful and excited for the most basic things, and it makes me so proud. They are what get me through these hard times. We are struggling to keep afloat, and dream of rebuilding our lives. To sleep in your own bed, have the ability to cook dinner on a stove, or write an address on a form, seem like such trivial things, but these are things our family can’t do. I want more than anything to make a new home for my girls.
Our family is asking for the help and kindness of others. We are asking for any help you’re willing to give, so that we can start to get our life back on track. It would be more than a blessing to our family. It would be a home.

Four months ago, my children and I came home to find alarms, smoke, and fear. The garage next to our apartment building was going up in flames. Knowing that our family car was parked inside, our hearts began to sink. The fire department arrived, and seemed to have the situation under control, until cars parked inside the garage began to explode. The flames reached our apartment building, and it too began to go up in flames. From across the street, our family, and several others, watched our homes disappear behind clouds of black smoke. For the next couple of hours, fireman tried to put out the flames, but by the time the fire was contained, our home was nothing but burnt brick and ash. We thank God that our family wasn’t in the building, and that no other residents were hurt.
We have our family, but we lost everything else. Nothing was salvageable after the fire. Trying to explain that to my two little girls was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. You never realize how much clothing, food, beds, or a teddy bear, mean until you don’t have any of the above. With the blessing of a few local charities, we have been given some clothing and access to food pantries. With the loss of our vehicle, though, I was no longer able to work for my employer. I found another full time job, and am thankful for the opportunity, but I am making far less income now. We now live in a motel. It is close to public transit, and it’s a place to lay our heads.
Local housing agencies have long waiting lists, and cannot help us at this time. We want, so badly, to have a place to call home. My two wonderful little girls have taken this whole situation in such stride. They are thankful and excited for the most basic things, and it makes me so proud. They are what get me through these hard times. We are struggling to keep afloat, and dream of rebuilding our lives. To sleep in your own bed, have the ability to cook dinner on a stove, or write an address on a form, seem like such trivial things, but these are things our family can’t do. I want more than anything to make a new home for my girls.
Our family is asking for the help and kindness of others. We are asking for any help you’re willing to give, so that we can start to get our life back on track. It would be more than a blessing to our family. It would be a home.

Four months ago, my children and I came home to find alarms, smoke, and fear. The garage next to our apartment building was going up in flames. Knowing that our family car was parked inside, our hearts began to sink. The fire department arrived, and seemed to have the situation under control, until cars parked inside the garage began to explode. The flames reached our apartment building, and it too began to go up in flames. From across the street, our family, and several others, watched our homes disappear behind clouds of black smoke. For the next couple of hours, fireman tried to put out the flames, but by the time the fire was contained, our home was nothing but burnt brick and ash. We thank God that our family wasn’t in the building, and that no other residents were hurt.
We have our family, but we lost everything else. Nothing was salvageable after the fire. Trying to explain that to my two little girls was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. You never realize how much clothing, food, beds, or a teddy bear, mean until you don’t have any of the above. With the blessing of a few local charities, we have been given some clothing and access to food pantries. With the loss of our vehicle, though, I was no longer able to work for my employer. I found another full time job, and am thankful for the opportunity, but I am making far less income now. We now live in a motel. It is close to public transit, and it’s a place to lay our heads.
Local housing agencies have long waiting lists, and cannot help us at this time. We want, so badly, to have a place to call home. My two wonderful little girls have taken this whole situation in such stride. They are thankful and excited for the most basic things, and it makes me so proud. They are what get me through these hard times. We are struggling to keep afloat, and dream of rebuilding our lives. To sleep in your own bed, have the ability to cook dinner on a stove, or write an address on a form, seem like such trivial things, but these are things our family can’t do. I want more than anything to make a new home for my girls.
Our family is asking for the help and kindness of others. We are asking for any help you’re willing to give, so that we can start to get our life back on track. It would be more than a blessing to our family. It would be a home.

Four months ago, my children and I came home to find alarms, smoke, and fear. The garage next to our apartment building was going up in flames. Knowing that our family car was parked inside, our hearts began to sink. The fire department arrived, and seemed to have the situation under control, until cars parked inside the garage began to explode. The flames reached our apartment building, and it too began to go up in flames. From across the street, our family, and several others, watched our homes disappear behind clouds of black smoke. For the next couple of hours, fireman tried to put out the flames, but by the time the fire was contained, our home was nothing but burnt brick and ash. We thank God that our family wasn’t in the building, and that no other residents were hurt.
We have our family, but we lost everything else. Nothing was salvageable after the fire. Trying to explain that to my two little girls was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. You never realize how much clothing, food, beds, or a teddy bear, mean until you don’t have any of the above. With the blessing of a few local charities, we have been given some clothing and access to food pantries. With the loss of our vehicle, though, I was no longer able to work for my employer. I found another full time job, and am thankful for the opportunity, but I am making far less income now. We now live in a motel. It is close to public transit, and it’s a place to lay our heads.
Local housing agencies have long waiting lists, and cannot help us at this time. We want, so badly, to have a place to call home. My two wonderful little girls have taken this whole situation in such stride. They are thankful and excited for the most basic things, and it makes me so proud. They are what get me through these hard times. We are struggling to keep afloat, and dream of rebuilding our lives. To sleep in your own bed, have the ability to cook dinner on a stove, or write an address on a form, seem like such trivial things, but these are things our family can’t do. I want more than anything to make a new home for my girls.
Our family is asking for the help and kindness of others. We are asking for any help you’re willing to give, so that we can start to get our life back on track. It would be more than a blessing to our family. It would be a home.