Story

Hi, my name is Shakeel, and this is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to write.

Over the past three years, life has taken an unimaginable turn for my mom and me. It started with the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit our household hard. My mom, the most hardworking and selfless person I know, was retrenched during lockdown. I tried to keep us afloat with my small business, but as things slowed, we found ourselves dipping into our mortgage just to survive.

When the mortgage ran out, I took on long hours and low-paying jobs—working 17-hour shifts for barely minimum wage—just to make ends meet. But it wasn’t enough. I had to take out loans and max out a credit card to keep paying for our home, utilities, and basic needs. Even then, there were days we barely had enough for groceries or anything to eat at all.

Our home is more than just walls and a roof; it’s the sanctuary where my mom and I have built our lives, shared our struggles, and cared for our beloved dogs. The thought of losing it—and having to send our dogs to a shelter where they may not survive—fills me with overwhelming fear.

I tried everything to turn things around. I sold my business equipment, took on additional jobs, and even started a small side business with my last salary. Despite brief moments of progress, the challenges kept piling up. My mom’s health deteriorated, and she had to quit her job and was medically boarded due to a chronic illness. Meanwhile, the job market has been brutal. My lack of a degree and a past criminal record, coupled with my mom being deemed “overqualified,” has made finding work almost impossible.

On top of the financial strain, this year has been emotionally devastating. In just a few months, I’ve lost a close friend, a cherished client, and my uncle, who was like a father to me.

We’ve exhausted every resource—selling our second car, borrowing from friends and family, and taking out more loans. But now, we’re at a breaking point. We’re desperately trying to hold on to our home, our lives, and our hope for a better future.

That’s why I’m turning to you. I’m humbly asking for your support to help us get through this storm. Your generosity will go toward keeping a roof over our heads, catching up on overdue bills, and ensuring that we can provide for ourselves and our loyal dogs who have been our constant companions through it all.

Any amount, no matter how small, will make an incredible difference. And even if you can’t contribute financially, sharing our story would mean the world to us.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Your kindness and compassion can help us hold on to what little we have left and give us the strength to keep fighting for a better tomorrow.

With gratitude,
Shakeel