Free car repair needed in San Diego

[Admin - Jon McNamara]

Hi Marie
Can repair programs are not common, especially for the amount you need of over $900. But maybe try community action or services in San Diego. Some may help fix a car, or maybe they know of volunteer mechanics in San Diego to do some of at least the labor. Try the San Diego community action agencies.

[Irma Moo-Rasch]

Good morning,
My name is Marie. I am a single mom of an 8-year-old boy. We were sold a bad battery and a bad alternator 2 years ago. Our car's battery & alternator died out on vs a week ago, and we were stuck on College Ave. I called tow companies in San Diego, which weren't able to help tow us, so we had the San Diego Police Department push our car down into Mission Marketplace. I messaged my father, whom I haven't had contact in over 15 years, and pleaded to ask him for help. He gave me the run-around; told me he had an inheritance for us, then lied as well as gave me the silent treatment after I was able to get my car towed to Oceanside Automotive Repair. I was desperate, and asked him again for help on Venmo, since I don't feel comfortable giving him my email or cell phone number due to his past abuse towards me. He gave me the silent treatment again when I asked if he was going to help us.
I felt that I had no choice but to sign on a contract that partner with Oceanside Automotive, which was Easy Pay. Easy Pay's contract is to have me pay $960.99 for the full cost of the repair of the new battery, new alternator, new cables to connect the battery + the labor, etc. They told me there is a promotion that if I paid the $960.99 in full within 3 months that I wouldn't have to pay the 178.99% APR. They said if I don't pay it in full for those 3 months, I am disqualified for the promotion, as well as if I don't pay the initial payment of $140.91(this is each payment to add up to 24 installment payments). They want the 1st payment of $140.9.
Furthermore, if I don't make the $960.99+ an application fee of $40. (The total is $1000.99), then I will have the APR of 178.99% accrue.
I cannot afford to pay any of this due to fix my car due to being on SSDI, and my daughter is only getting $17.37 every 2 weeks from her father for child support.
I am desperate. I have reached out to churches, my mom(who I have had an estranged relationship with due to off and on emotional abuse), 2-1-1, Catholic Charities, Interfaith in San Diego, Lifeline, Brother Benno's, Crisis House, One Safe Place, Consumer Assistance Program, Jewish Family Services; and no one is able to help.
I don't know what to do. I am scared of losing our home, our assets (Easy Pay has my Social Security number as well as my residential address) and my car (they have my license plate).
I will be so thankful if we can receive the help to cover this total of $1,000.99. I hope what I have written is clear.
Please reach out to me at your convenience with updated info on any, if at all possible, assistance with this.
I appreciate your time, energy & efforts.
Respectfully,
Marie