November 8, 2019 was the day that everything changed for my family. My youngest child (the last one left at home) and I were on a trip to Oregon, and we were only supposed to be here for 3 weeks. On November 8th, the same day were scheduled to return home (to Elyria, OH), I received the devastating news that our home was on fire. I am a single parent, my fourth child turned 13 in January. I have included a picture of us. Due to complications with the insurance company, we have since been unable to return to Ohio. I am quickly learning that this is an old and familiar story, but the insurance company has determined they are not covering any of the contents of our home, leaving the house uninhabitable & the owner (I was renting to own) being forced to sell, leaving us homeless and stuck in Eugene. Thankfully, the Eugene community has been very supportive and helped us with resources to stay sheltered while we are stuck 3000 miles from home. This experience has been difficult and scary, but the embrace from this community has been such a blessing that we are trying our best to stay. Especially since we have no home to return to in Ohio. After almost two months of staying in shelters and our car we found a place to rent, and I have just started a new job, while I work to restart my jewelry-making business. I have asked for help through the Red Cross in both states to no avail. I have received some financial support to rent the place we now live and are so close to being stabilized here with my job and business. We are only about one month short of being (financially) free of this tragedy. One month of our expenses is a little more than $3000. If This amount is what it takes to pay my rent and utilities, get groceries (beyond SNAP) and keep gas in my car to get to and from work, until I start receiving checks. I am extremely humbled to have to ask for help, but for my kiddo I am willing to do just that to assure I prioritize their well-being & lessen the emotional impact this loss of this tragedy. Any help we can receive towards this goal would be a huge blessing & ever so appreciated.

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