In an age overwhelmed with stories and information, before anything else, I’d like to thank you for taking the time to read this story.

And so, my story is this: In the summer of 2019, my children and I moved from Newark, Delaware, downstate to Dover, Delaware, after a year of undoubtedly the worst series of financial hardships I had endured in my nearly eight years of life as a divorced, single mother of six. Because we had to move quickly from our rental townhome in Newark before finding another place to live, we spent half the summer in an extended stay hotel before I was able to secure the home in Dover under a one-year lease purchase contract.

The prospect of owning my own home, rather than being indefinitely subjected to the whims of another landlord in yet another rental property, felt like a wonderful breath of fresh air and a chance for something more hopeful, finally. I had over a year to take care of the necessary issues in preparing for a mortgage and purchasing the home by July of 2020, or so I thought.

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down life as we all knew it this past spring, the workload through my second job as a law enforcement transcriptionist shut down for a time as well, although, gratefully, I was able to continue working my primary office job remotely. The loss of my supplemental income, however, forced me to rely on savings that had been earmarked for the mortgage down payment.

Although the homeowners were willing to grant a six-month extension on the lease until December 2020 in light of my situation, I still had the dilemma of replacing the down payment funds – hence, this crowdfunding project. Now, in order to possibly avoid losing the lease purchase deal, and there with it the place I’ve called home for the past 15 months, I’m hoping and praying to raise at least half of the funds necessary for my total down payment through this project.

I'm sure we are all in agreement that 2020 has been an incredibly challenging time for all of us, in one way or another. That’s why I’m especially appreciative of you for not only reading this, my story, but for your donation of whatever you can provide to help me, your friend, your family. The year of COVID-19 has forced us all to examine what we’re really made of – likely tougher material than we even realized! – as well as the realization that in most of us lies an incredible instinct of generosity that often shines its brightest in the face of adversity. So if you are able and willing to donate to my project, please know two things: 1) your help during these challenging times will be eternally and overwhelmingly appreciated by this hard-working single mother – your friend, your family member; and 2) you will most certainly be kept apprised of my project’s success and knowing how you made it possible.

 Again, thank you so much for reading my story. Praying for blessings and safety for you and yours this day. :)