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Keep a roof over Abril's head in Joliet

A divorce left Abril short on rent for 5 months; help us stay in our home.

Anywhere in the world3,260 views
Abril L. Tapia
Email verified
Joliet
After a sudden layoff at the bakery, I fell 5 months behind on rent. Last Tuesday a termination letter was taped to my door, and the amount I owe is $4,650. My landlord has been understanding for a while, but he has now been clear: if the arrears aren't cleared by November, we must leave. I have three school-aged children at home. Moving isn't just an expense - it would mean new schools, a new commute and no deposit to put down anywhere else. I have started working weekend shifts, and I'm applying for help from local services, but nothing will arrive in time without the rest of the gap covered here. Funds go to the landlord and nowhere else. Any amount left over after the arrears are cleared will go toward next month's rent. Where the $4,650 goes: • Rent arrears (5 months): $3,400 • Late fees and court costs: $260 • Utilities in arrears: $320 • First month of rent as a buffer: $670 If you're reading this, thank you.
due date
2026-09-28
bill type
Rent arrears
#rent#eviction-prevention#family#housing

Updates from Abril

  1. Good news. Because of your gifts ($573 in total) I met with the landlord and confirmed the amounts. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

  2. Good news. Because of your gifts ($513 in total) I made the first payment toward late fees and court costs. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

  3. Small update. $230 so far, I met with the landlord and confirmed the amounts.

Donations

RecentTop gifts
  • Wyatt C. Barrett 🇨🇦 · $22

    “Hope things get better. Only $22 but hope it helps. - Toronto”

  • Lina Jana Wagner 🇩🇪 · $20

    “All the best. From Hannover with love.”

  • Anonymous 🇺🇸 · $5
  • Angelo F. Rodriguez 🇵🇭 · $15
  • Paisley K. Beck 🇨🇦 · $30

    “Stay strong. Been where you're, it gets better. - Vancouver”

  • Carlos José Martins 🇧🇷 · $30
  • Kshitija D. Kulkarni 🇮🇳 · $17
  • Pietro Nicola Bianchi 🇮🇹 · $100
  • Malak Maryam Said 🇪🇸 · $25
  • Amir Mahmoud 🇪🇬 · $100

    “Rooting for you. My father told me about this one. - Shubra”

  • Chalida Ploy Ngamsuk 🇹🇭 · $20

    “Happy to help. From Phuket with love.”

  • Bharath P. Venkatesh 🇮🇳 · $50
  • Jide Ikenna Afolabi 🇳🇬 · $10

    “Rooting for you. This is from my last paycheck, glad to do it. - Warri”

  • Manon Léa Dubois 🇨🇦 · $15
  • Smit A. Naik 🇮🇳 · $5
  • Victor Seyi Gbadamosi 🇳🇬 · $50
  • Anonymous 🇺🇸 · $10
  • Sheldon Walker 🇯🇲 · $20
  • Waraporn Chalida Bunnag 🇹🇭 · $5
  • Ramon A. Mendoza 🇵🇭 · $9

Reviews

3.0(3 reviews)

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

  • Sarah P. Dunn🇺🇸Verified helper
    Made me feel heard

    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.

  • Caleb N. Jenkins🇬🇧Verified helper
    Made a real difference

    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.

  • Gabriel L. Bravo🇨🇴Verified helper
    Went above and beyond

    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.

Questions & comments

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  • Bennett J. ReyesID verified

    good luck, Abril. Hope you get there. Read this on the bus and kept thinking about it all day. All the best.

    • Masud Bappy Mondal

      A secure home matters so much. Hope you're settled soon. My husband and I read this together. Thinking of Joliet

      • Emma J. BrennanID verified

        Hope things get better soon, Abril. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. My sister had a similar thing happen so this one hit home.

        • Anil Lama

          hope it all works out. Looking forward to the next update. My neighbor in Lahore donated after I showed her your page. Greetings from Lahore.

          • Carter R. Parks

            Shared this with my family. Greetings from Jakarta Selatan!

            • Satomi Yuna YamazakiAddress verified

              Sending strength, Abril. It takes guts to ask. Well done.

              • Daniele RivaPhoto verified

                Thinking of you and your family. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. Wish I lived closer to San Nicolás de los Garza so I could bring a meal.

                • Renata Ribeiro

                  Shared this with my family. Thinking of Joliet.

                  • Shefali Puja ChatterjeeAddress verifiedPhoto verified

                    Wishing you the best. I hope your landlord gives you a bit more time while this comes together. I went through something like this 9 years ago and strangers helped me out. Thinking of Joliet.

                    • Jocelyn H. Fernandez

                      So sorry you're going through this. Your post was clear and honest. Sent it to 29 people at work.

                      • Adriana R. Luna

                        Sending good thoughts, Abril. A secure home matters so much. Hope you're settled soon.

                        • Julian R. McBrideAddress verifiedPhoto verified

                          Wishing you peace. Your post was clear and honest. Thinking of Joliet

                          • Irfan Fajar Tanoto

                            Wishing you peace, Abril. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. Love from Kinondoni

                            • Ploy Thanaporn Suksawat

                              Good luck, Abril. I was in a similar spot a few years ago and it did get better. Thinking of Joliet.

                              • Rajesh C. Patel

                                A secure home matters so much. Hope you're settled soon. Love from Kanpur.

                                • Lia Ika Wardana

                                  Sending strength, Abril. I was in a similar spot a few years ago and it did get better. Take care.

                                  • Johan L. Buthelezi

                                    Hope things get better soon. A secure home matters so much. Hope you're settled soon. I have a 13 year old who wants to send good wishes too. Thinking of Joliet

                                    • Eleanor B. BishopID verified

                                      hope things get better soon, Abril. Rent stress is the worst. Hope this helps. We lost years of savings to something like this so I get it

                                      $1,261 raised of $4,650

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