WHO: Emma and her two children ages 6 and 14

AGENCY: Always Home Inc.

THEIR SITUATION: Emma and her daughters lived in the same apartment for five years, and she paid her rent on time each month even when her earnings as a day care worker scarcely covered her expenses. But since the COVID-19 pandemic, her life has unraveled. When the day care center closed, Emma used her unemployment and stimulus check on rent and other basic needs. Since her girls are learning remotely, she hasn’t been able to return to work. The most devastating setback for Emma came when her landlord notified her that he had sold the building and they needed to leave their home. At the moment, Emma and her daughters are temporarily living with a friend, paying a third of the household costs. She’s trying to save enough for a security deposit and first month’s rent for a new apartment, but it’s difficult when her weekly unemployment checks are less than $200. With winter coming and COVID-19 cases rising, she just wants to provide a safe home for her children.

WHAT TO GIVE: Always Home’s mission is preventing family homelessness. A monetary donation to Always Home will help Emma and other parents like her afford the considerable upfront costs required to rent an apartment and ensures that struggling parents and their children have a stable and secure home.

TO DONATE: To make an online donation, visit AlwaysHome.org. Checks can be made payable to Always Home and mailed to 119 High St., Mystic, CT 06355. For more information, call (860) 772-6068. All donations are tax deductible.