Stay-at-home orders were meant to protect people’s lives, but ironically, it caused Kenia Madrigal and her 4 children to lose the home they were staying-at-home in.
“It’s hard because my daughter keeps asking me when are we going to go home and we don’t have a home.”
Like many others around the world, Kenia lost her job due to the pandemic. But then the crud really hit the fan!
Kenia was denied unemployment, the shelters were filled to the brim, and family assistance was of little help.
The struggling mom tried for months to find work, but her family was evicted from their mobile home in Harris County, Texas when she could no longer afford to pay rent.
Setting up shop in the family’s SUV was the only option she had left.
The SUV holds most of their belongings, but it’s far too small for even one person to live in.
Yet, Kenia manages to make it work out of both survival and necessity. She described to ABC13 how she manages to fit all of her children, ages 11, 8, 3, and 1, into their tiny digs.
“I take the car seats out. I put the seats down, and these two go all the way back,” explained the single mother. “So, me and my oldest are there while the youngest are in the back.”
Schooling for her kids is also something else that’s up in the air.
“Honestly, with me not having a home I can’t say yes they’re going to go to school because I have no idea.”
The stress and uncertainty have been bearing down hard on Kenia, and she’s had multiple mini breakdowns just thinking about everything that’s happened this year.
After months of being out of work, Kenia was finally able to land a new job, but that didn’t really do much to improve her family’s living situation.
That’s because her $11.50 an hour wages simply aren’t enough to rent an apartment! She’s super grateful to even have a job again, but her future, like so many others, looks cloudy and muddy.
“It’s so hard to hold it together, try to be strong, and try to show my kids there’s nothing to worry about. It’s really hard.”
Just when all hope seemed lost, one of Kenia’s new coworkers, Chelsea Monroe, secretly organized a GoFundMe page to get the hardworking mom and her kids into a safe new home.
“Kenia is a hardworking, optimistic, brave mother of 4. In the beginning of the COVID lockdown, she was laid off, denied unemployment and TANF, and unable to find work for months!”
Chelsea went on to say that the children’s father was pretty much out of the picture, and had become “more and more distant.” In fact, he was nowhere to be found when they became homeless.
The GoFundMe page explains how the money would be used to get Kenia and her children into a new home, and also fund their virtual education.
The reactions and donations towards getting Kenia and her children set up in a new home were kind and swift.
The original $800 goal was not only met, but it also reached an astounding $74K!
@T Wright:
“I have a 5 year old and single mother you are not alone , thank you for your courage to tell your story and coworkers with beautiful hearts. You are a great mother, strong woman, and tough as nail. Go continue conquer the world and be safe with your 4 beautiful children.”
@Nicole Rule:
“I have a 2year old and cannot imagine being homeless with him. I pray you find a nice little home for your family.”
Learn more about this touching story in the video below.
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