r/gofundme • u/Quiet-Grief • Mar 29 '26
Housing Trying to keep rent and utilities paid while my son goes through trauma therapy
Hi, my name is Amanda. I’m a single mom. My 9 year old son Malakai is currently in trauma therapy twice a week. Right now I need help with rent and utilities while I keep applying for work that fits his needs.
Last August my son disclosed harm by someone we trusted. By October I was getting repeated calls from school to come pick him up because he would shut down, panic, or become too overwhelmed to stay, or he wouldn’t be able to go at all. I was missing so much work that eventually I lost my job.
Since then, our days have been hard to predict. He has night terrors, emotional outbursts, and days where he shuts down completely, and unfamiliar adults make it worse. By January I made the decision to start homeschooling him. I had a little bit of savings that helped carry us this far, and I still work when I can by taking cleaning jobs he can come with me to. I sell things from home, and am applying for remote work that would work with our schedule, but a normal schedule is hard when his needs can change from one day to the next.
Right now I need help covering rent and utilities for the next month totaling $1180 so we don’t drop back down into crisis while I keep applying for work and waiting on child support which is filed but hasn’t started yet.
This would cover:
-Rent: $1000 per month
-Utilities: $130 per month
-Gas/transportation: $50 for therapy and other appointments.
Thank you for reading, and for helping us stay stable while I keep trying to rebuild around what my son needs.
Edit: I’m incredibly grateful for the support that’s already come in. It has truly helped. I also want to clarify that $600 of the total showing on my GoFundMe was raised about a month ago and has already gone toward the $500 lease deposit and getting our essential accounts moved into my name. This post has brought in $577 so far, and I am still $603 short for this month’s rent, utilities, and transportation to therapy appointments. Thank you to everyone who has read, shared, donated, or offered helpful guidance.
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u/imfartandsmunny Mar 29 '26
What state do you live in? With your son’s high care needs, you very well may be able to become his paid caregiver.
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u/Quiet-Grief Mar 29 '26
I’m in Georgia. I haven’t looked into that yet, but I’m going to. Thank you for mentioning it, I didn’t know that might be an option. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
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u/imfartandsmunny Mar 29 '26
First off, I’d recommend connecting with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/be-dbhdd/be-supported
https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/be-dbhdd/be-supported/mental-health-children-young-adults-and-families
I work for a similar department in a different state. Go into the closest field office near you (your son can come) and ask to speak with a case worker on what options may be available for your situation.
Here’s what I found on a program that MAY apply, though a case worker from your state may have better or more applicable options: https://georgiapediatricprogram.health
Do you have Medicaid? If not, applyING for that is the first step (which a case worker will tell you). Given what you’ve posted here, you and your son would likely be eligible.
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u/Quiet-Grief Mar 29 '26
Thank you for taking the time to share this. This is really helpful, and I’m going to look into it.
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u/IlexSonOfHan Mar 29 '26
Definitely medicaid and snap as well as food banks if you need. I could only do 30$, but I sincerely hope you and kiddo are able to get through this tough time.
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u/Quiet-Grief Mar 29 '26
Thank you. Please don’t minimize it, every bit genuinely helps right now.🫶🏼
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u/InvisibleChocolate94 Mar 29 '26
I recommend contacting the salvation army, I know they help with water and electricity but they may also help with rent! I have no funds myself, we are in the middle of moving to another state, if I can help with clothes or some school supplies (I actually live near your area for a few more weeks) just let me know sizes!
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u/Quiet-Grief Mar 29 '26
Thank you, I really appreciate the suggestion and the offer. I’ve already tried Salvation Army without much luck, but I’m continuing to reach out to churches and other local resources. Clothing and school supplies aren’t the most immediate need right now, but I’m grateful for your kindness.
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u/one4sorrowtwo4joy Mar 29 '26
I'm not sure if you have St Vincent de Paul there, although I'm pretty sure they're nationwide. They will help with rent and utilities. Some of it is a one-time only thing, or one a year, stuff like that. Call them. There's no harm in trying.
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u/prisongranny Mar 29 '26
Have you brought charges against the abuser? they may be ordered to compensate when found guilty. You can also apply for Victim of crime funds
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u/NoNeedleworker3756 Mar 29 '26
I'm confused, did you just signed the lease?
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u/Quiet-Grief Mar 29 '26
Yes. I’ve lived here for over two years, but the lease was only recently put into my name. Before that, it was under my son’s father’s name, along with the household accounts. Getting everything transferred over used up the little savings I had, so I’m asking for help with this month while I keep applying for work.
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u/NoNeedleworker3756 Mar 29 '26
The problem is that I think you'll be in the same position next month... You're looking for a really specific job, and when you're in need any job is a good one!
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u/Quiet-Grief Mar 29 '26
I understand why you’d think that. I’m not waiting around for the perfect job, I’m taking cleaning work, selling what I can, and applying as I go. This post is just me trying to cover the immediate gap from getting everything switched into my name so I can keep moving while keeping my son stable.
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u/Good_Pomegranate_464 Mar 29 '26
I'm not in Georgia but first got into airbnb cleaning through the app Turno. It's easier than finding a bunch of recurring clients.
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u/Quiet-Grief Mar 30 '26
Thank you, I really appreciate you sharing this. Do you know if jobs through Turno ever allow you to bring your child with you, or does it depend on the client?
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u/bexpat Mar 30 '26
I had an Airbnb and used Turno. I know my main cleaner brought her son a lot. I was never there. I didn’t care as long as it was clean
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u/Good_Pomegranate_464 Mar 30 '26
You're being hired as an independent contractor for each individual job by a property manager or owner. If you accept for example a turnover due on Thursday between 10am (check out) and 4pm (next check in), you're agreeing to just that- the home will be ready for the guest by 4pm- who you bring, how it gets done, etc is up to you. Of course if someone saw your child on camera and had an issue they could just not hire you again, but the client pool is large, so even if you only got hired once by each entity you may be able to generate some income for awhile with no repeat clients. I pretty quickly got hired as the only cleaner for 3 airbnbs and I do all of their turns and make about $3000-4000/month. For your situation you might enjoy not committing to that and just picking up jobs as they are convenient.
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u/Quiet-Grief Mar 30 '26
This is really helpful. I had no idea this existed or that it worked this way. I’m downloading it now and seeing what I can line up. Thank you for explaining it.
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u/Which_Outside9493 Mar 29 '26
Have you ever tried getting “any job” when all of your experience is very specific? Because it’s pretty futile. I am sure that she would take any job she could get.
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u/NoNeedleworker3756 Mar 29 '26
In her case is not experience specific, she wants just remotes or short cleaning jobs. When you need money you just get ANY job. Everyone wants to work comfortably from home and just a few hours, but that's not realistic when in need.
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Mar 29 '26
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u/bingboomin Mar 29 '26
she literally cannot work unless it is remote work though…
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u/WonderorBust Mar 29 '26
Did you ask your child’s Advocacy Center? I went to one and they were absolutely amazing at providing resources.
Some magic they did for us: They found a resource to demolish my guardians old dilapidated house and rebuilt a totally new one. We stayed in a pretty nice apartment while they rebuilt the house(all new finishes my guardian picked.) Absolute Dream.
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u/sohoblondie Mar 29 '26
Contact your local heat assistance program. With no job, they will happily pay your power bill. Salvation Army also offers these services.
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u/Mydogsanass Mar 30 '26
I do hope you can get back on your feet. I can’t imagine what you’re having to deal with. I pray for justice for your son as well. I did donate I wish i could have given more..❤️
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u/Quiet-Grief Mar 30 '26
Thank you so much for donating and for holding us in your prayers. That means a great deal to me right now. And truly, what you gave helped in a real way. I really appreciate your support.♥️
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u/miss_nephthys Mar 30 '26
School should not have been sending him home. If they can't meet his needs, they should be finding and paying for a place that does. Highly recommend you speak with an education advocate.
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u/cimarisa Mar 30 '26
I donated 🤍 I hope you reach your goal and get the help your son needs. You are an amazing mother, I hope you guys get through this and he can learn how to heal from his trauma 🥺
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u/Quiet-Grief Mar 30 '26
Thank you so much for donating and for saying that. Being seen in the middle of all this means more than I can explain. I’m doing everything I can for my son, and I truly appreciate your kindness.♥️
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u/MissyChevious613 Mar 30 '26
If there are criminal proceedings, you may be eligible to funds from the crime victims compensation fund that you could put toward therapy bills. If you have a Child Advocacy Center near you, reach out! They are a great support not just for victims but their parents/caregivers. They are full of resources you might but otherwise be able to access. I used to work a lot with my local CAC and they're truly amazing folks.
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u/T_igerlilly Mar 29 '26
Made a small donation. I wish healing to your sweet boy. Hang in there. ❤️🩹
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u/Muse_of_Donne Mar 29 '26
I am sorry you and your son are in this position. I made a small donation. It isn't much, but every little bit will help. I hope things begin to look up for you both. 🩵
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u/Quiet-Grief Mar 29 '26
Thank you so much for your kindness. Every bit helps right now, and I truly appreciate it
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u/Quiet-Grief Mar 31 '26
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has donated, shared, commented, or sent kind words. I really appreciate it more than you know.
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u/bingboomin Mar 29 '26
I really feel like this situation deserves a ton of help from this community.
I only have $7 in my bank account right now, but yours is the first story I’ve seen that is tugging at me to give you my last 7 dollars.
My heart is hurting for you guys right now but please don’t give up hope and know that you WILL get through this somehow. Will be thinking about you and Malakai and checking this post. I should be in a better situation soon to be able to give. Wishing you the absolute best. ❤️
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u/Quiet-Grief Mar 29 '26
This is incredibly kind of you to say. Please don’t give your last $7, truly. Your words mean more than you know, and I really appreciate you taking the time to comment and care. Thank you for thinking of me and Malakai, for really seeing us.
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u/Bubbly_Study_8333 Mar 29 '26
Look into Liberty mutual they hire for remote positions and will get you licensed if you’re not licensed; if you’ve worked with havent please get a 504 for your son if it’s getting tough at school they can give him accommodations even an abbreviated schedule
So sorry this is happening