My name is Christina Cantu, and I will admit I am no longer a part of a traditional family. I am now a family of one. My financial situation is not unique, I was laid off in September of 2009. I haven't found another job. I am a full time student at Texas A & M - San Antonio. I am a business major in Computer Information Systems. I am a junior in college. I have been through some trials and test over the last 10 years. I have had legal issues and drug issues that have led to the loss of parental rights to my twin boys, Anthony and Jacob, when they were only two. They will be ten in September. I lost my mom and my dad both to cancer within 5 years of each other, and I lost 5 years of my life to the Federal Prison System. I have one brother, he is all the family I have left. Before I lost my job, I used most of my savings to pay for an attorney for him to get out of Texas State Prison. He has been away for eight years and it was important to me to have him home with me, we have always been close. We are three years apart. For all of these things I take responsibility, and I don't use them to gain sympathy or pity. I am saying these things first because I am an honest person, and would never ask for anything under false pretenses. I was born again in January of 2008, and I started my life over. I came out of the prison system with nothing and no one, but it never got me down. I miss my parents everyday and cry when I think of how good they were. In their memory and my honor, I have worked hard, got myself and my life together and now I can be proud of who I am. I do not feel sorry for myself, but since I have gotten behind on rent, I can't catch up. I just recieved my eviction notice. I only pay $300 per month, but I am 5 months behind. I am still a full time student, I begin to panic when I think about studying computer programming all night under a bridge, and going to school in the same clothes and dirty. I break down when I think about losing the little I have worked for and what I can call a home. Before I went to prison I worked for engineers doing tech work, technical writing, and project management. I also worked for Graphic Designers doing layouts and editing, and I also worked many years as an Administrative Assistant. I have never been lazy, I have been working since I was 15. I am going to be 38 this year. When I got out of prison, I worked hard and honestly, and did eveything the right right way, not the easy way. These two years have not been easy, but I have been happy and at peace. I think this is why it hurts so much right now that I was not able to catch up and now I am going to lose everything. I just wanted to make my life work, I still want to make it work. If I only had another chance at it. I don't think I qualify for the assistance you and your group is providing, and there is always someone in a worst situstion. I happened to come upon your site, and it gave me the need to tell my story. Your kindness will be appreciated by more than just those you help.
