Four precious children under age four—including twins and a newborn—are forming their childhood memories in a motel room rented day-by-day, while their parents are working toward stability. My cousin and her husband are loving, hands-on parents who never expected to be here. After several extraordinarily difficult years, they urgently need support to secure stable housing and give their family room to heal.

Until January 2026, the father held a government-contracted security position. When his entire team was let go unexpectedly due to the prolonged government shutdown, the family lost their housing along with his income—they've been paying steep temporary-lodging costs ever since.

He has since found new work, but all income goes straight to lodging, food, diapers, wipes, and the constant needs of four very young children. That leaves nothing to save toward the deposit required for permanent housing—typically 2–3 times monthly rent in their area.

They're looking for an affordable three-bedroom home in the DC Metro area, and are open to creative options: caretaker arrangements, farm or rural property, or faith- or community-based housing.

The family is still working to close out a legal matter that began with a hospital report shortly after their twins' birth. The state where it originated had investigated and cleared them completely two years ago, finding no evidence of wrongdoing. A second state has left the case unresolved—a delay that has taken a serious toll on top of everything else they're carrying.

In total, stabilizing this family will take approximately $16,000:

• $4,000 — deposit for long-term rental housing
• $3,000 — one more month of temporary lodging
• $1,000 — a month's stock of food, diapers, wipes, and household essentials for the little ones
• $8,000 — legal and travel costs to close out the Midwest matter

We're asking for $8,000 to jumpstart that goal. Every dollar raised brings them closer to permanent housing and to finally closing out this legal matter. Beyond funds, they'd be deeply grateful for:

• Leads on affordable 3-bedroom housing in the DC Metro area, or creative long-term arrangements
• Connections to low-cost or pro bono defense and civil rights attorneys in Ohio

These are two people who have stayed devoted to their children, to their faith, and to each other through obstacles greater than most families face in a lifetime. What they need now is a bridge: enough support to get safely housed, close out this legal matter, and finally have space to heal.

Every donation, social media share, housing lead, or legal connection genuinely moves them closer to that.

Thank you for helping this family move toward stability and a fresh start.

With gratitude,

Z Johnson