I never imagined I’d find myself in this position, but here I am, asking for your help to give my family some much-needed stability.
After serving 8 years in active duty in the military, I transitioned to the Air Force National Guard to pursue my degree, with the dream of becoming a pilot and officer. I worked hard, and by the time I graduated, I had offers lined up, ready to take the next step. Unfortunately, the world shifted in ways I couldn’t have foreseen. Changes within the military and the pandemic caused the pilot position and job offers to vanish, leaving me searching for a way to move forward.
After my college graduation in May of 2021, the pandemic made finding a job impossible. At the same time, my wife was diagnosed with a rare pain disorder, turning our lives upside down. My in-laws invited us to stay with them until we figured out the next move and I found employment.
Shortly after moving in with my in-laws, I began working for my father who was only able to pay me $300/week, but I appreciated any help. Six months later my father became ill, and I made the decision to step in and take over his business. This was the only way to ensure my parents could maintain an income during his recovery. While I’m grateful to have had the chance to support them, the business has been struggling, and there are months we can’t even pay ourselves. Still, I’ve kept going because family means everything to me.
My father is now unable to work and is in very poor health, so I have taken over his business. It is struggling to say the least, but I’m determined to make it successful.
My family of four has been living with my in-laws for the past four years. It hasn’t been easy. Boundaries have been crossed, money has gone missing, and the situation has made a hard life even harder. Now, we’ve been forced to leave sooner than expected due to their behavior towards not only my wife and myself but our two children, and while we’ve been saving for a rental, we simply aren’t there yet.
The housing situation in our rural area is bleak—rentals are scarce, and home prices are unattainable. We’ve found an Airbnb nearby that’s only $50 a night and are planning to stay there temporarily until we can find a more permanent place. We’re also facing a potential move an hour away, which will mean a long commute for me, but it’s the only option for affordable housing.
Right now, we’re in desperate need of help to get through this transition. We need at least $6,000 to cover first and last month’s rent, a security deposit, and moving expenses. On top of that, we need groceries and help to make it through the next few weeks while we figure out our next steps.
I never thought I’d be in this position, and asking for help is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. But I have to put my pride aside for my family. If you’re able to help, we would be incredibly grateful. paypalme/MichaelRickman15
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any support you can offer.
Written with gratitude and a humble heart.