No one ever gets married thinking they’re going to eventually wind up divorced. Sadly though, divorce does happen, and it’s not always a neat and tidy affair.
One father experienced the dark side of divorce when he and his wife split, and he was left with no home. Luckily, the kindness of strangers helped to turn this dad’s life around.
Living in Their Car
A Washington man named Lucius Allure went through a particularly rough divorce when he was forced to spend all of his money on legal fees. As a result, he fell into debt, was let go from his job, and was forced to give up his home. He and his kids moved into their car.
Not knowing what else to do, Allure shared a TikTok video highlighting his family’s situation.
“Please don't scroll. These are my kids; this is where we live,” he said in the video, showing the car they’ve been sleeping in. “We only have this house because my dad’s making the payments on it, and he’s cosigned with me to get us this car.”
Allure added how his current circumstances made it hard for him to make money. However, he had found a camper van for $6,000.
“It’s seriously beautiful and perfect for us and really feels like an alignment,” he continued. “The van would give my kids their own bunks instead of a little seat to sleep in. It has a pop-up tent on the roof, so it would give me a whole room to myself. It has a full kitchen, so we will be able to cook again and pay less for food.”
Unfortunately, Allure didn’t have $6,000, so he put it out there on social media in hopes of receiving help from his community.
“We’ve set up a GoFundMe campaign, and we would be so grateful if you could help us out by donating or sharing our story with your friends and family,” he wrote in the post. “Thank you so much for your kindness and support.”
A Community Comes Through
Before long, people did come through, and they surpassed Allure’s expectations. Days later, the campaign had raised $17,000.
“We did it!!! All because of YOU!!! We are so incredibly grateful for every single person who donated, shared our story, and supported us on this journey,” Allure said in a follow-up video. “Thanks to you, we've not only met but exceeded our GoFundMe goal, and we're one step closer to getting a new home on wheels.”
Given how much the family surpassed their goal, Allure shared that they were re-evaluating and considering getting a larger and more secure camper van. They were also considering their options and thinking about starting a business that would allow them to benefit from a more steady stream of income in the long term.
“I don't even know the words right now except thank you,” he continued, fighting back tears. “Wow. Thank you. I don't even know what to say. Thank you so much. We're so grateful; we're so excited.”
An Ongoing Struggle
To date, the GoFundMe page has received more than $23,000 US in donations, and the goal has increased to $55,500. According to the description, Allure is now raising money to help with monthly expenses as his family continues to get back on its feet.
“It takes a lot of money to legitimize your business. To get an LLC to get the business forms and documents that you need. To get a business lawyer, to get logos trademarked. To get tools for the trade,” he explained in another TikTok, adding a long list of other expenses, including ones for his family.
“I want the best home that we can get,” he continued. “If it doesn’t resonate in your heart to share, I don’t want your money. Me and my children have been healing from abuse for four years now… Help if you want.”
Paying It Forward
You never really know what someone is going through or what tough times they’ve faced. Allure and his family are proof of that, as the internet watches and hopes that they can find their footing and finally move forward from this difficult time.
This story is a little nudge for us as well, reminding us that sometimes people need our help, no questions asked.
It can be hard to ask strangers for help, and it can be even harder to ask those we love for assistance. Sometimes, the best way to help someone who is struggling is to offer your support before they even ask.
It’s wonderful what a cartful of groceries, a hot meal, or a fresh set of clothes can do for a person, especially someone who is struggling financially. These days with inflation and the economy, that could be anyone around us. So remember to keep your eyes and hearts open and to lend a hand where you can.
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