When it rains, it pours.
An Avondale mother, who just gave birth to a pre-mature baby, is facing eviction after losing her job.
Rhaja is so embarrassed by her situation, she asked that we not show her face and only use her first name.
"I don't want anyone to judge me as a mom because I work really hard to take care of my girls,” Rhaja said.
But life is hitting Rhaja pretty hard right now. She just gave birth to her second child six weeks prematurely.
"Not being able to go into work, I went into labor, so I ended up losing my job,” Rhaja said.
She was just four days into her new job working for a medical transport company through a temporary work agency.
On top of that, she’s now on the brink of losing her home.
Rajah admits she was short $60 on her June rent. After late fees and other fees, and now July's rent, she owes about $1,300.
Now, she's dealing with an eviction notice.
"The 5th of July, and my daughter is still in the NICU,” Rhaja said.
M.E.B. Management owns the property where Rhaja lives.
Mark Schilling, the company's director of operations, said they are upset and understanding over Rhaja’s predicament, but they're limited in what they can do. They must abide by federal fair housing rules, which requires that every tenant be treated the same.
"Just feel like everything is unraveling at once," Rhaja said.
Rhaja has reached out to several community organizations that provide rent assistance, but she said she’s been told they're out of funds or she needs to be working to qualify.
"I'm just trying to keep a roof over our heads,” Rhaja said.
In the meantime, she’s tending to her baby in the NICU while being a mother to her 2-year-old daughter.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Rhaja and her family.
To contact the reporter, email Raquel.Cervantes@abc15.com to be put in to contact with Rhaja.
