I am a 44 year old mother of 5. I have struggled my whole life. Both of my parents were addicted to drugs my younger life.. Had a step dad that was beyond awful. I got married when I was 17, had 3 kids with him before i was 21. He worked, I was at home. We divorced after 8 years. Husband number 2 came around 2 years later. He has 2 kids i had 3. 6 years later we added 1 of our own kids to the mix. 8 years later blessed with another surprise.. My last child.. Spent 20 years with him. We were homeless in Chicago. He lost his job with uber because our car broke down. Lost our place and stayed at shelter for 7 months. Filling out housing applications brought us to Elkhart in a 3br subsidized house I found. We started to argue so bad we got physical. I left one night with my two youngest daughters who are 8 and 16. Because of their school my girls wanted to go back to their Dads to finish out school year. I stayed with my friend. It lasted about 2 months. My girls started to complain about not eating til midnight. House was a mess, dog peeing in house. So I did an unannounced visit. I could not believe my eyes. House was a complete mess.. Garbage and food everywhere. Peed in laundry everywhere. I stayed there a week and cleaned whole house. Took all laundry to laundromat and left with my girls. My ex will not leave that house. Not only will he not leave the house, he is claiming we all still live there so he can keep the house. I left early Jan of 2019. From Jan to Oct 2019 I paid all the bills in that house. He was also on my family cell plan until Sept 2019. I got my taxes and stimulus around same time. Bought my girls new clothes, shoes, school necessities, etc. He bought a new tv, sectional couch, laptop, new shoes for himself etc. He did not pay 1 bill. He 2as on verge of electric being disconnected. If. It was he would have been evicted if not on in 1 week. They have a zero tolerance for utility shut off. I paid around 500 in july, and another 800 in Sept. In Sept i took all bills out of my name. Paif what I could on most. Have small balances on all He. He has never given me 1 dime to help my girls in a year, nor has he bought them ANYTHING. He has also not tried to pay me any of that bill money back. I spent my new apartment money on his bills..
I am a Baker, I clean and rehab houses, babysit, I also do Some landscaping.. What ever i need to do to keep bills paid. My ex plays video games.. Is filling for disability because he has diabetes.. Makes no sense. My daughter’s and i have been displaced for over a year while he just sits pretty, collecting money under our names. He is in school claims we live there with grants and FAFSA.. Gets mute more money that way. He has never given me one penny of it. I only found out because the housing authority manager told me that i am on everything including those documents.
I finally got my girls and I I our very own 3br home. My landlord is cool, there’s so much space… We love it. I’m here today to beg for help. My girls are the youngest of 7. They have never had a new bed.. New blankets.. New pillows, their own dressers or bed frames. I would very much like help to make their rooms special, unique just for them.. A mirror, some paint, pictures etc. They are both straight A students, are extremely loving and would protect anyone they saw getting bullied..
I just need help in one area. I am great working in offices. I have been away from Admin positions for quite a few years.. Waitressing or bartending was quicker money. I really want another 9 to 5 office Job. I have no nice clothes or shoes to even begin looking for one. Please help me buy 5 outfits and 2 pairs of shoes. I usually shop at goodwill for my clothes.. I have so much on my plate. I have to begin my divorce with my ex soon. I handle all bills and rent here on my own. Its so hard.. Most weeks i have no clue how I even made it that week. God is on my side and a job usually shows up just when I need it most. Usually at crunch time to keep me on my toes.. Truly making it paycheck to paycheck.. I can prove all of what I am saying if necessary.. I would forever be grateful for help with these requests, and when I open my bakery in Elkhart one day… I will pay it forward.. Thank you for reading, and for any consideration.. God bless and Happy NEW YEAR.. XOXO