Community Rallies Around Family Facing Eviction

LOS ANGELES, CA — It didn’t take long for the community to rally around a struggling Los Angeles family facing eviction this week.

When community college student Angel Gutierrez shared his family’s financial woes, he hoped for help raising back-rent to avoid being evicted from the apartment the family had been living in for the last decade. People rallied, donating more than $5,000 in a single day.

The Gutierrez’s struggle is one many in LA can relate to.

“Due to the constant rent hikes, and the pay-check to pay-check situation my family is in, we have been falling behind with rent,” Gutierrez wrote on his GoFundMe page. “I currently live with my parents and my 12-year old sister. The stress of losing a home, as a result of the eviction notice, has turned into sleepless nights. Everyday that goes on with this stress is dangerous to everyone in my household. My father is an Uber Driver who needs to focus in order to make trips safely. My mother has been sick . My 12 year old sister has to worry if she will have a home, and how that will affect her Dad, Mom and Brother.”

Gutierrez wrote that he worries about his ailing mother and little sister so much that he’s been suffering ulcer pains while working to transfer to UCLA. The $5,000 raised will cover four months of overdue rent and keep the family in their home.

“My primary concern, currently, is having a home. I have gone through hardships, which I am used to, but my concern is my parents and my little sister. Since they do not have the know-how in navigating these situations, I am taking control and focusing on the success of the fundraising process. Unfortunately, school may be postponed in order to ensure my family and I have somewhere to sleep.”

His cause resonated with supporters, many of whom are strangers, who donated small amounts to help out.
“I know how worrisome and stressful an eviction can be, not knowing how your family will be find stability is excruciatingly hard,” wrote one supporter. “Sending you all of the abundance & good fortune you and your family may need right now.”

Go Fund Me is a Patch promotional partner.

— Images via Go Fund Me