My family is going through the hardest chapter of our lives, and I’m asking for a little help and a little hope.

I never imagined I would have to ask strangers for help like this.

I’m a single mom of two, and right now I’m doing everything I possibly can to keep my children safe, cared for, and in our home.

My 10-year-old son is nonverbal autistic and was recently diagnosed with epilepsy. We have been dealing with hospital visits and the overwhelming reality of trying to manage his health while also finding reliable childcare that I can trust and depend on.

And unfortunately, this is only part of what our family has been facing.

A little over a year ago, I unexpectedly lost my mom.

She wasn't just my mom. She was my children's family. She was my support system. She was the person I could call when I didn't know what to do.

Losing her changed everything.

Trying to figure out how to raise my children, take care of my son, deal with his medical issues, and now prepare for surgery without the person who was always there for us has been incredibly difficult.

There are so many moments when I wish I could just pick up the phone and call my mom.

I miss her every single day.

I've tried everything I can to make ends meet.

I have tried finding work I can do around my children's needs. I've offered cleaning services and vehicle detailing. I've tried selling things from our home.

I am not afraid to work.

I am not looking for an easy way out.

I simply haven't been able to make enough to catch up while dealing with everything happening at once.

Right now, I am living on my son's Social Security while we work through his health issues and I try to find dependable childcare.

And now we are behind on our rent.

That is the part that scares me the most.

I cannot afford to lose our home.

My children and I have nowhere else to go.

Then our transportation disappeared too.

About three weeks ago, my car broke down in the middle of Main Street.

I had to call the local police because we couldn't safely remain there. A tow company was called, and I asked them to tow the car to my home.

Unfortunately, I didn't have the money to pay the towing bill at the time.

The fees have continued to add up, and I now owe more than the vehicle is worth.

So now we are without transportation as well.

I've been walking wherever I can, and I'm doing my best to make it work.

But right now, my biggest concern isn't even getting another vehicle.

It's keeping a roof over my children's heads.

What your donation will help with

My immediate goal is to get our rent caught up so that my children and I can remain in our home.

If we are fortunate enough to reach that goal, any additional funds will go toward our overdue utilities and other basic necessities while I work toward getting our family back on stable ground.

Every dollar will make a difference.

Even a small donation could help take some of the weight off my shoulders.

And if you're not in a position to donate, please don't feel bad.

Sharing this fundraiser could be just as meaningful.

You never know who might see it or who might be in a position to help.

I'm asking for help, but I'm not giving up.

This is not where I thought my life would be.

There are days when I feel like I'm failing my children.

There are days when I feel like I'm letting my mom down.

And there are days when I am so overwhelmed that I don't know how I'm going to get through the next day.

But then I look at my children.

And I keep going.

I'm still trying.

I'm still looking for ways to work.

I'm still doing everything I can to take care of my family.

I'm simply at a point where I need some help getting through a situation that I can't fix by myself.

I know there are so many people struggling right now, and I know everyone has their own problems.

That's why asking for help is so difficult for me.

But I also believe that sometimes people need a little help getting back on their feet.

And when I am finally in a position to do so, I want to be one of those people who pays that kindness forward.

If you choose to donate, please know that I will be incredibly grateful.

If you share this, thank you.

If you simply read our story and leave a kind word, thank you.

And if all you can do is say a prayer for my children and me, thank you.

Right now, I don't need anything fancy.

I don't need a miracle overnight.

I just need a little breathing room.

I need to know that my children and I are going to be okay.

TikTok, I've seen you change people's lives overnight.

Today, I'm praying that it's our turn. ❤️

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for helping us through one of the hardest seasons of our lives.

With love and gratitude,

Julie