We received a plea for help today from Erin Clanton, who can no longer afford the motel room she has been living in, off and on for about two months now, with her husband and three boys, aged 9, 6 and 4, at the Vagabond Inn on South Virginia street.
She doesn't know where they will be sleeping tonight as their money has run out to afford the room.
Below parts of her story, her own description of her plight, and ways to contact her directly if you can offer her any type of support.
Erin works as a housekeeper and her husband at auctions, but even with the income they receive, they no longer can afford the $450 weekly price or $70 to $80 a night they are being charged.
Erin said both she and her husband are available for weekend side work if anyone knows of any. They moved from California about a year ago and came to Reno trying to find a fresh start, thinking it would be more affordable but have found it to be just as challenging.
In California, they last lived in the Nevada City/Grass Valley area where she was a drug and alcohol counselor and her husband was a cook.
She says her kids love Reno and their schools but now they are struggling to survive and are at a loss as to what their next step should be.
Here is her message to the community.
“Currently staying in a motel with three children, two full time jobs and still not making it. Need help right now.
No gas and not very much assistance unless you are in a DV situation or getting off drugs.
We are not on drugs [and not] in a DV situation just struggling and trying to do everything needed to care for our [kids].
We need warm winter clothing jackets. And or even help with shelter long enough to actually save some money.
[We] don’t qualify for cash assistance either because we "make too much" but not working is not an option for us.
Not begging or really asking for anything just pointing out how this world works right now.
It is hard but if we don’t stay positive and work together as people we will only grow but being negative and hateful with people, [and it] is only going to make life more difficult.”