I never thought I would be writing this.

Three months ago, I lost my job. I had worked there for 15 years, and in one morning, it was gone. No warning that mattered. No backup plan. Just a handshake and “we’re sorry.”

I’m a father of two little girls 9 and 6. They are everything to me. Since losing my job, I’ve applied everywhere. I wake up early, stay up late, and still hear nothing back. The bills keep coming. Rent. Electricity. Food.

I’ve skipped meals so my daughters don’t have to. I tell them I’m not hungry. Truth is, I’m scared every single day that I’m failing them.

Asking for help is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I hate asking for help. But right now, I’m struggling more than I ever have in my life, and I just want to keep a roof over my girls’ heads.