Joanne has found herself in an impossible situation that has brought her to do the one thing she was taught is the ultimate sign of weakness and failure. She is asking for help. Joanne has spent her life working tirelessly to support her family and community while unknowingly operating in survival mode, assuming everyone else’s needs came first.

In 2024, the bottom fell out. She lost her job and within weeks her husband walked out on the family, leaving her to support her girls and the household alone. Shortly thereafter, her mother passed away unexpectedly followed by loosing her home in the divorce.

Joanne scrambled to find a rental home nearby to maintain some level of normalcy in the pursuit of a peaceful life with her girls. Little did she know, the next year would bring the type of devastation you may only read about happening to “other” people-mostly living in properties that should have been condemned.

It began with the air conditioning going out in the rental home within a week of movie in. Then it was the plumbing-toilets were overflowing and flooding through the ceiling. Then the A/C went out again…and again…and again. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was spent at home, without air, watching technicians filter in and out of the house all day and into the late night hours. Then it was the dryer venting into the garage/house which required five different contractors, estimators, and technicians. And then guess what…the A/C went out again. And again. And again. Then the house floods due to a slab leak. The house has had three as far as we know. Repairs take weeks leaving them without hot water. Most recently the ceiling came crashing down on the first floor due to guess what…the A/C…which went out again.

Joanne’s wish for a peaceful transition became a single mother’s worst nightmare. Held captive in a rental home, unable to leave or work for days/weeks at a time as she juggled the dozens of contractors, estimators, inspectors, repair crews, landlord visits. Every day it was something new. Unable to work and unable to move.

Today, Joanne is facing homelessness, disconnection of utilities, and recently lost her car. Despite the grave circumstances, she is eternally grateful that GOD wakes her up everyday with the promise that she will make it another day and will eventually make it to the other side.

If you’ve made it this far in the read, you are exactly who Joanne needs in her life. Her shame riddled soul is opening her heart and hands, asking for her community to help her and her girls get back on their feet and start planning for the future.

Joanne immediate priorities are preventing disconnection of utilities, catching up on rent, putting food on the table, and eventually securing transportation.

Donations of any amount is life changing for her and she will keep everyone updated on her progress while she rebuild’s herself.