December 2025 Need Update

Hi, I’m reaching out with a heavy heart as my son and I face the very real threat of eviction. We’ve been so grateful for the support that helped us cover rent and bills for September and October, but we still have a long way to go. November and December’s rent and utilities remain unpaid, and without your help, we risk losing our home.

I’ve been actively searching for work and was thrilled to receive a job offer, only to discover it was a scam. This setback has been devastating for us. Thankfully, I have secured a legitimate job starting December 1st, but my first payday is still a week away.

We’re aiming to raise $7,500 to cover these critical expenses, and every dollar counts. Your generosity can make a huge difference in keeping us safe and stable during this difficult time. I promise to pay it forward once we’re back on our feet. Thank you for considering our plea and for your kindness.

Help Qiana via Gofundme

Please share our story and help us reach our goal before December 15th.

Previously (Summer 2025):

✅ Update — Need Met 8/13/2025

Thank you!

Update — 8/11/2025

So, far we’ve been Blessed to come up with $1,427 of what the needed $1,665.

We still need $238 bucks by Wednesday (13th) to stop the eviction!

I also had my appointment yesterday to get help with the utility bill, so hopefully we’ll get approved for that! God is working everything out! I’m Grateful and extremely Thankful.

— Qiana

Initial Post — 7/29/2025

My name is Qiana. My son and I were homeless in Rock Hill for two years, and by the grace of God, we are still here.

We are in need of help right now with rent and utilities.

So this is what starting over means to me. Starting over in a new place has been one of the most difficult transitions I’ve ever had to face. Uprooting my life and leaving behind everything familiar was not something I took lightly, but it was necessary for my growth, safety, and peace of mind. While I hoped this move would be the beginning of a better chapter, the reality is this: it has been filled with unexpected financial and emotional challenges.

We need furniture, beds, a vehicle, and I need a job. It has become very emotional.

It’s hard to build stability when you’re starting with very little. Every day feels like a balancing act between survival and trying to move forward. One of the biggest struggles has been covering the basics, especially utilities and rent. Despite doing everything I can to stay afloat, including seeking work and cutting back on expenses, I find myself falling behind, which has caused a lot of stress because if I don’t pay the rent, we’re going to be evicted. Back home is where we just came from, so that has been one of the very emotional parts of starting over.

The cost of living in a new area has been higher than I anticipated, and without a solid support system in place yet, it has been hard to catch a break. It’s just been a little overwhelming, but I know that God’s grace is sufficient for us as well. It’s not easy to ask for help, but the truth is I’m in a position where I truly need it, not just for today, but to lay the foundation for a more secured and hopeful future for my family and me.

I’m reaching out now because I believe in the power of community and compassion. Everyone goes through seasons of hardship, and this is mine. With support, whether it’s help with rent, keeping the lights on, furniture or employment, even encouragement, I know I can keep pushing forward. I’m determined to rebuild, and every bit of help brings me one step closer to stability and healing in our new beginnings.

I’m determined. I’m asking you guys for whatever you have.

If you know someone with furniture who is willing to deliver it to us, that would be great.

If you know someone who has employment, that would be great too.

With my son starting school, I’m not able to get the things he needs for school: clothes, book bags, shoes, school supplies—it’s just a lot on me.

I’m also disabled and receive disability, but it’s not enough to cover everything, and I have been diligently looking for employment since November of 2023. For some reason, I’m not able to really find anything, and I just really need some help right now to get us through August to pay the rent and the utilities.

So anything will do. Thank you for your consideration of helping us, and I really appreciate it.

We’ve Come So Far

By Molly Barker

Back in 2017, when a large corporate developer purchased the low-income housing complex, Twin Oaks in NODA, multiple families suddenly lost an affordable place to live. I knew we had to act fast.

With the support of an amazing team of people, including some amazing leaders from within the Twin Oaks Community, we were able to find new homes for every single person, impacted by the purchase!

That moment wasn’t the end of our work—it was just the beginning.

Since then, we’ve walked alongside these families, providing steady support as they’ve taken big, brave steps toward stability. Health changes have been positive. Jobs have been secured. New roots are taking hold. And none of that would have been possible without many dozens of generous donors.

Today, we’re focused on two remaining families—both of whom have come so far and just need a little help to stay steady. One family needs $800 in monthly rent support. The other needs $700 to keep food on the table. That’s $1,500 a month—not for a program or overhead, but 100% of it for real people, in real time.

We recently lost a major funder, and we’re hoping to build a small but mighty circle of monthly givers to carry this work forward.

Would you consider making a monthly gift—of any amount—to help us keep this going?

DONATE HERE

Or, if you can't commit to monthly yet, please consider a one-time gift to help bridge the urgent gap.

Your tax-deductible contribution goes straight into the hands of real people who are working to help themselves, continuing the progress we've already made!

We’ve come so far. Let’s keep going, and THANK YOU!!!!

Thank you,

Molly Barker

Over the last year, I've gotten to know Michael really, really well.

We met because of the Speak Up writing community weekly workshop—which brings together homeless and non-homeless people. We gather at the main library in Rock Hill, SC, to write, read aloud, and share tears, laughter, and friendship. It has become a beautiful and dynamic community of friends.

During that time, I've heard many dozens of pieces from Michael—tens of thousands of words of his story—about his journey with family, work, faith, health; about his battle with homelessness, and his aspirations for the future.

We don't ask people to identify if they are homeless or not: over time, as we grow in trust, the contours of our lives become clear through our writing.

This is a man that I love and believe in and I'm certain that his best years are truly ahead.

Here’s a picture, not just of Michael, but of many attendees of a recent workshop:

He has a need

Michael been in a stable local shelter situation for the last year as he has worked on and off and tried to save for the next big step.

But his time at the shelter abruptly ended two weeks ago.

He didn't do anything wrong. In fact, he was a model citizen at the shelter. That didn't matter. They wanted to make room for others.

“You are graduating from the shelter,” they told him.

Except his “graduation” is an eviction back onto the streets for the first time in over a year. It's not a graduation that he wants or that anyone wants for him. It's a step backwards.

“Don't call it a graduation,” he said to them. “I'm not moving upward to something better.”

He applied to another shelter. Filled out the paperwork. Made the calls. Went to an interview. “Not a good fit,” they told him.

So right now he's in a messy, foggy in-between and trying to keep his chin above water. Last week one of the other writing community members who isn't homeless stepped in and covered a week at an extended stay hotel. A beautiful, generous gift! The power of friendship. But that week runs out tomorrow.

We want him to stay off the streets, so I'm asking if you'd contribute to a giving campaign to cover his motel housing for the next month while he regroups and looks for a more stable situation.

“I have every intention of finding a job,” Michael said. “Actually there's one I did in the past that I'm looking into, but because of this unexpected change it's tough.”

Can you help today? It's urgent.

Keep Our Friend Michael Off The Streets

Like I said, I know Michael—I'm vouching for him, he's a friend: kind, thoughtful, and an asset to any community he joins.

Thank you,

Matt Shaw
Executive Director

Meet Jiarus P., a 20-year-old college student living in Rock Hill, SC.

He attended Johnson and Wales University for his Freshman and Sophomore years, pursuing a major in Psychology. His exceptional academic performance earned him the prestigious Presidential Scholarship and a place on the Dean's List.

Last fall, Jiarus felt the calling to get his degree in Sports Psychology, and he applied to attend Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He was accepted and awarded a generous financial aid package based on his accomplishments and financial need.

However, Jiarus still faces a shortfall of $4,900 to guarantee his place at Liberty.

Give to Support Jiarus

He and his mother currently have been experiencing financial hardship after financial hardship, leaving them displaced and living in a motel during this time.

This is an opportunity to give in partnership with Speak Up to support Jiarus in his educational journey.

There are just two weeks remaining to make the August payment. He cannot register for classes or move in unless that first August payment is made.

Payment Schedule

• August - $1,612

• September - $1,612

• October - $1,612

Upon graduation, Jiarus intends to immediately attend graduate school at Liberty to get his master’s degree.

Give to Support Jiarus

8/10/23 UPDATE: Great response and progress!

Thanks to six generous donors, Jiarus was able to make his first tuition payment for the semester. This means he's able to move into the dorm and start classes soon.

After receiving the first set of donations, he shared an audio message of relief and gratitude:

10/1/2023 UPDATE: Goal met!

All needed funds were donated for this worthy project.

Jiarus was able to enroll and move onto campus for the fall semester.

Thank you for the generous giving!