Jocelyn Mendez said she and her children, ages 5, 9 and 13, were asleep when their dog began barking around 3 a.m. Wednesday. She said the neighboring unit was on fire and that flames had spread to her side of the roof.
"It was my kids' home," Mendez said. "They grew up there. My two youngest, they were born and raised there, so for them to lose their childhood home is what hurts the most."
Mendez said she quickly woke her children and evacuated.
"So I rushed to wake up my middle child, and then I went to grab my youngest child and my oldest, and she grabbed my dog, and we all just, we all ran out," Mendez said. "We were all literally in our PJs. My oldest actually was just in her socks. She didn't have any shoes on."
The Harvey Fire Department said a child in the neighboring unit suffered burns and was hospitalized in fair condition. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but authorities said it appears suspicious.
Mendez said the fire destroyed all of the family's possessions.
In response, community members have organized a donation drive to support the family. The event is scheduled for Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the East Chicago Police Department.
"It has been amazing to see so many people come together to help," said crisis responder Lisette Guillen with Case Files Chicago, who is helping to organize the drive. "She is usually the one that's running to the trouble. She is the one that's running to help others, and now it seems the tables have turned."
Mendez said she has been overwhelmed by the support.
"To see how big this has gotten already and the amount of people that want to help, it's a blessing," she said. "I'm very grateful."
In addition to monetary donations, organizers are seeking clothing and shoes for the children.