Skip to content
HelpBLESS
MoneyFamily & childcare

Back on our feet: Teresa and two young children in Durham

A single mother in Durham needs help with childcare, groceries and rent while Teresa retrains.

🇺🇸 United States1,611 views
Teresa C. Serrano
Email verified
Durham
After a house fire in June, I'm now raising two young children on my own. I work as a part-time receptionist, but my income doesn't cover rent, childcare and groceries. I'm retraining as an electrician in the evenings, which will triple my income by September, but I need to bridge the gap until then. Some weeks I skip meals so my children can eat. I have never asked anyone for help like this before, and I'm doing it for them. Once I finish my course, I'll pay it forward. Money goes toward rent, groceries, after-school care and the cost of my course. I'll give a monthly update with receipts. Where the $3,000 goes: • Groceries and school meals: $770 • Rent top-up: $1,150 • Childcare and after-school care: $1,080 Even a small gift gets used right away and I'll thank you myself.

Updates from Teresa

  1. Small update. $771 so far, we've started the first stage.

  2. Thank you all. We're at 13% now ($395). I'm honestly stunned. we've started the first stage.

  • Yash R. Awasthi 🇮🇳 · $200

    “Hope things get better. From Salem with love.”

  • Ife Esther Fashola 🇳🇬 · $100
  • Sakshi P. Shah 🇮🇳 · $100
  • Uthai Ngamsuk 🇹🇭 · $75
  • Gang Hao Liao 🇨🇦 · $71.50
  • Sebastião Rafael Azevedo 🇧🇷 · $71

    “Be well - Belém”

  • Zain Tariq Abbasi 🇵🇰 · $65
  • Bushra Fatima Baig 🇵🇰 · $50
  • Anonymous 🇧🇷 · $50

    “Hang in there - Belo Horizonte”

  • Girish F. Soni 🇮🇳 · $38
  • Aravind C. Iyer 🇮🇳 · $30
  • David F. Long 🇬🇧 · $30
  • Roman Boris Yakovlev 🇷🇺 · $30
  • Ouma Collins Karanja 🇺🇬 · $25
  • Anonymous 🇵🇭 · $25
  • Emiliano A. Serrano 🇪🇸 · $25
  • Martijn Lars Dekker 🇳🇱 · $25
  • Anonymous 🇮🇩 · $25
  • Gerardo F. Cortés 🇪🇸 · $25
  • Shailesh L. Zaveri 🇮🇳 · $25

    “You got this. I'm in Nizamabad, thinking of you. - Nizamabad”

Reviews

3.8(17 reviews)

Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.

  • Luciana Araújo🇧🇷Verified donor
    Professional and kind

    I was going through a tough time and this person's support was invaluable. They didn't judge, just helped. That kind of genuine compassion is rare these days.

  • Jacques Lombard🇿🇦Verified donor
    Went above and beyond

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

  • Edson Melo🇧🇷Verified donor
    Went above and beyond

    The help I received was exactly what was described and more. This person follows through on their commitments and genuinely cares about making a positive impact.

  • Stepan Bondar🇷🇺Verified donor
    Restored my faith in humanity

    I was nervous about reaching out, but this person made me feel comfortable and supported from the very first interaction. Their help was invaluable.

  • Jacques Dubois🇫🇷Verified helper
    Quick response, great follow-up

    I was going through a tough time and this person's support was invaluable. They didn't judge, just helped. That kind of genuine compassion is rare these days.

  • Tunde Adeyemi🇳🇬Verified helper
    Exceeded expectations

    I was struggling and didn't know where to turn. This person stepped in without hesitation and provided exactly what I needed. Their compassion and expertise made all the difference in my life.

  • Juma Mutua🇰🇪Verified helper
    Genuine person with a big heart

    I was nervous about reaching out, but this person made me feel comfortable and supported from the very first interaction. Their help was invaluable.

  • Jomar Concepcion🇵🇭Verified helper
    Helped when no one else could

    The difference this person made in my life cannot be overstated. They were patient, kind, and persistent in helping me find solutions. Truly exceptional.

  • Ramón N. Díaz🇲🇽Verified helper
    Helped when no one else could

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

  • Giulia Fontana🇮🇹Verified helper
    Trustworthy helper

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

  • Mizanur Saha🇧🇩Verified helper
    Very responsive and caring

    I had a complex problem and this person helped me navigate it step by step. Their expertise combined with their kindness made all the difference.

  • Gerald R. Prescott🇳🇿Verified donor
    Patient and understanding

    Perfect example of someone making a real difference. They took time out of their busy schedule to help me and never made me feel like a burden.

  • Janet B. Langley🇦🇺Verified donor
    Exceeded expectations

    This is the kind of person who restores your faith in humanity. They didn't just offer help; they genuinely cared about my wellbeing and followed through on every commitment.

  • Berk Erdem🇩🇪Verified helper
    Reliable and compassionate

    I had a complex problem and this person helped me navigate it step by step. Their expertise combined with their kindness made all the difference.

  • Maricel S. Bautista🇵🇭Verified helper
    Trustworthy helper

    I was struggling and didn't know where to turn. This person stepped in without hesitation and provided exactly what I needed. Their compassion and expertise made all the difference in my life.

  • Amparo Maldonado🇲🇽Verified donor
    Really cared about my situation

    Perfect example of someone making a real difference. They took time out of their busy schedule to help me and never made me feel like a burden.

  • Irene Mukasa🇰🇪Verified helper
    Exactly what I needed

    This helper is honest and transparent about what they can do. They didn't overpromise, but they did deliver excellent results. I would definitely trust them again.

Questions & comments

Ask before you give. Email-verified members can comment and ask questions - no donation needed.

Sign in or create a free account to join the conversation.

  • Can I help in a way that isn't money? I'm near Durham.

    • Sharing the link is the biggest thing. And if you know anything about groceries and school meals, advice is welcome too. I'll keep the page updated.

  • Your post was clear and honest. Don't lose heart. A few weeks ago I was in a hole too and it changed faster than I expected. Thinking of Durham.

    • Maxim Dmitry SavchenkoAddress verified

      Shared it with a few friends. My neighbor in Cairo donated after I showed her your page

      • best of luck, Teresa. Shared it with a few friends. I'll check back for the next update. God bless

        • Asad Yasir MirzaID verified

          Thinking of you and your family, Teresa. Rent stress is the worst. Hope this helps.

          • any update on how things are going in Durham?

            • A colleague of mine might know someone for this in North Carolina. I'll ask around and let you know!

              • I hope things turn around soon. Put this on a community board in Shubra this morning.

                • Sending love. It takes guts to ask. Well done. I told my book club about it and three of them are giving too. Blessings

                  • wishing you peace. Shared it with a few friends. My husband and I read this together. Blessings.

                    • So sorry you're going through this, Teresa. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes.

                      • Sending strength, Teresa. Shared it with a few friends. God bless!

                        $1,394 raised of $3,000

                        Give

                        More people who need help