LOGAN SQUARE — A Logan Sq. household who misplaced all the pieces in an condominium constructing fireplace late final yr wants assist resettling within the neighborhood.
The household — a single mom and her 4 sons, ages 18, 17, 14 and 14 — had been dwelling in a two-bedroom backyard condominium within the 2700 block of North St. Louis Avenue for a few yr and a half when their constructing caught fireplace.
Round 3:45 a.m. Dec. 22, the household was awoken by pounding on the door, the mom stated in Spanish by way of a translator. She requested that her title not be used for security causes.
Firefighters rushed the household and different tenants out of the constructing as they battled the blaze, which Chicago Fireplace Division spokesman Larry Merritt stated began in one of many residences’ kitchens. The constructing had three models.
Although the hearth was confined to the kitchen, the injury had a devastating impression on the household, who had been rebuilding their lives when tragedy struck.
Christian Diaz with Logan Sq. Neighborhood Affiliation launched an online fundraiser this week to assist get the household again on their toes.
“Logan Sq. is understood for neighbors coming collectively to assist one another,” Diaz wrote.
‘The Youngsters Need To Go Again To College’
The lady stated her household misplaced nearly all of their private belongings within the fireplace — just some days earlier than they deliberate to have fun Christmas collectively.
Amid the chaos, the lady stated she was solely ready to avoid wasting of their “greatest” clothes. The remainder of their belongings had water injury.
After the hearth, the lady tried to discover a new condominium within the Logan Sq. space, however she wasn’t capable of finding a spot she might afford regardless of having lived within the neighborhood for greater than 20 years. She cleans properties and Downtown workplaces for a dwelling. The backyard condominium price her $800 a month plus utilities, she stated.
Out of desperation, the household moved right into a relative’s place in suburban Des Plaines, about 40 minutes northwest of the town. Consequently, the children are many miles away from their college, ASPIRA Enterprise & Finance Excessive College at 2989 N. Milwaukee Ave.
The lady stated her children miss their college dearly and are falling behind academically. In the intervening time, they’re attending college in Des Plaines, however they’re anxious to return to ASPIRA, she stated.
“Greater than something, we wish to discover an condominium [in Logan Square] as a result of the children wish to return to highschool. That’s what worries us probably the most,” she stated.
The lady stated the hearth was particularly devastating, given her household’s historical past.
Although the backyard condominium wasn’t good — it solely had two bedrooms, so the mom needed to sleep in the lounge — it was a vivid spot in an in any other case troublesome few years. Previous to transferring in, the household lived in a home violence shelter within the metropolis. The lady stated she’d fled an abusive relationship.
Watching their condominium go up flames felt like a symbolic loss.
“I felt unhappy as a result of we had lastly gotten our personal condominium,” she stated.
With the fundraiser, Diaz hopes to lift $10,000 to assist the household begin contemporary. All the cash raised will go towards hire, meals, transportation and “some other wants they could have,” he wrote.
To donate, go here.
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