“My name is Karina, I am a mother who came to this country at the age of 18 with a 7-month-old baby. After 1 year the father of my son fell into drugs which led to domestic violence and ended up being deported to our country of origin. I was left alone with my son in this country without relatives or acquaintances, the first month after my abuse of violence was the most difficult because I could not pay the rent for my room, so I had to leave it and sleep on the street with a child in my arms...After 5 days a person without knowing me shook my hand and gave me a place to stay for the night [this was the beginning of change], I got a job and then my own space.
Years passed and I met a wonderful man who was my greatest support in my life, but in 2019 [he passed away]. I think maybe I needed another angel up in heaven [to watch over us]. Then the pandemic came and my life became more difficult. In January of this year, 2022, my car began to have mechanical problems so it was difficult for me to work and I began to have problems paying my rent, that's when I heard about the Maintenance for Moms and applied. It only took them a few days to call me and make an appointment. When they ended up taking it to the mechanic it could not be repaired. [That's when] they told me to apply and request a donated car from them.
A couple of months passed when I received the message that to this day I saved on my cell phone; they told me that they had approved me for a car! I cried and jumped for joy, they took care of all the paperwork for the car and finally I had it in my hands!
I had no words when I got in my car, I cried and I was very emotional because I always watched on the news or on social networks how things like this happen to people and I never believed that this would happen to me.
Before driving my car, I thanked God for the Maintenance for Moms and for this great gift. Now I find myself working day by day and I remind myself that everything difficult we have experienced is in the past. [And the future is bright]. God bless you all.”
