Homeless wheelchair-bound mother raises more than $75,000 after issuing a desperate plea for funds to get her and her sick three-year-old daughter off freezing Wisconsin streets amid staff shortages at their local shelter
- Ashley Lagoo-Mckinnie is disabled and requires a wheelchair to get around
- She and her three-year-old daughter have been staying in a homeless shelter which closes for most of the day, forcing them out into the cold
- It’s been particularly hard lately because her daughter has been sick and can’t stay in bed to recover
- She pleaded for donations on GoFundMe, hoping for just $1,400
- Concerned people have donated more than $75,000 so far, which has enabled her to secure a room in a motel for the week
- A pastor is also helping her look into buying a mobile home
A disabled Wisconsin mother is pleading for donations to find a home for herself and her three-year-old daughter, revealing that their homeless shelter closes for most of the day, forcing them out into freezing temperatures even as the little girl battles illness.
Ashley Lagoo-Mckinnie told the Sheboygan Press that she and her young daughter moved to Sheboygan because there wasn’t enough space in homeless shelters in Milwaukee.
But while they’ve found beds to sleep in in their new city, the shelter closes between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. six days a week, meaning that Ashley and her daughter are sent out into freezing weather to find a place to spend the majority of the day.
A disabled Wisconsin mother is pleading for donations to find a home for herself and her three-year-old daughter
Ashley Lagoo-Mckinnie said her shelter closes for most of the day, forcing her and her daughter out into the cold
Ashley, who is disabled and required a wheelchair to get around, is currently staying at the Sheboygan Salvation Army.
But due to staff shortages, the shelter locks its doors early in the morning and remains closed until late afternoon.
‘From 8:00 to 8:30, we have to sit out and wait outside of the library,’ Ashley said. ‘It sucks because even if you’re sick it doesn’t matter.’
Her daughter is currently battling an illness, and her recovery has been tougher because she isn’t getting enough sleep.
‘My daughter has been struggling because it’s hard for her to take a nap and she’s been sick,’ she went on. ‘She’s been really tired in the morning so it’s rough leaving out.
It’s been especially difficult as her daughter has been sick, but she is unable to stay in bed and rest to get better
‘I was told that if she keeps throwing tantrums about leaving out we will get kicked out.
‘It is freezing outside right now and I’m in a wheelchair and I often times have to wheel myself to the library. I’m looking for financial help to help us out this rough situation.’
Ashley said that she is currently third on a housing list, but she’s scared that she and her daughter won’t make it until then.
‘I have applied to multiple low income houses and I’m still waiting for them to be available,’ she said.
Desperate, she launched a GoFundMe page, hoping to raise $1,400.
She launched a GoFundMe page, through which she hoped to raise $1,400, however she has so far received more than $75,000 in donations
‘I’m praying for a miracle,’ she said.
So far, generous donors have far exceeded her expectations, donating more than $75,000 so far — and leaving kind words of support.
‘You aren’t alone through this. Wishing you and your daughter the best on your journey forward,’ wrote one.
‘A mother/father should never have to beg for a warm place to live with their children. I have a little girl and this story broke my heart,’ said another.
‘I am praying for you and your sweet daughter,’ offered a third.
With media attention on her plight, Ashley has updated donors to say that a pastor has helped her get into a motel for a week and she is looking into getting a mobile home with the donations.