My name is Ashlei, and for the first time in my life, I’m housed for the holidays!

Just a few months ago, I was living in my car. I’d park in quiet neighborhoods, hoping no one would notice me. I kept a blanket in the back seat and tried to convince myself I was okay. But I wasn’t. I was scared, alone, and exhausted. Every day felt like a battle just to survive.

Then I found The Relatives. Mr. Freddie and Mr. Arthur were my knights in shining armor.

I felt their love after the first meeting we had. They saw me, not as a problem to fix, but as a person worth helping. They gave me a warm bed, a hot meal, and something I hadn’t felt in a long time: hope.

With their guidance and resources, I found my very first apartment. It’s small, and the walls are still bare, but it’s mine.

Last week, I bought a little Christmas tree from the dollar store. I decorated it with lights and ornaments I found at a thrift shop. I cried as I plugged it in. For the first time in my life, I had a tree in my home.

This holiday season, I won’t be cold. I won’t be alone. I’ll be home.

Your kindness makes stories like mine possible. The Relatives gave me a second chance—but they couldn’t do it without people like you.

This holiday season, there are still so many of my peers seeking shelter, longing for family, and wishing to be home for the holidays.

Can you help make a story like mine a reality for others in a similar situation with a gift?

Warmly,

Ashlei F.