MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — For years, Milwaukee community activist Vaun Mayes has been the person people call during some of their hardest moments.

Through ComForce Milwaukee, Mayes has responded to shootings, storms and other crises, often answering calls for help at any hour.

"We're supposed to be mobilizing, going up north for the tornado damage, so we can get calls for anything at any time, day or night," Mayes said.

Last month, however, the person known for helping others found himself facing a crisis of his own.

Mayes said he received a call from his fiancée telling him their home was on fire. A kitchen fire forced the family, including their four children, out of the house.

"It didn't start like a little fire. It immediately went up," Mayes said. "It was a very bad fire, and it could have been worse for us."

Just weeks later, another setback followed. A driver fleeing police crashed into Mayes' vehicle, leaving it badly damaged.

"My door was completely ripped off, and the back door jammed together, so neither one of them opens," Mayes said.

Despite the fire and the crash, Mayes said he has continued serving the community.

"Police still have to come to work every day regardless of what they have going on at home. Firefighters, it's the same for us," Mayes said. "It's difficult to live a life that way, but it's what we have to do."

Now, community leaders are encouraging others to support Mayes and his family as they recover.

"We have issues and we have struggles too," Mayes said. "Having people understand that we do this work whether we get paid or not, we have done that, and there's an importance for us being stable in doing that."

Those who would like to help Mayes and his family recover from the fire and crash can donate through a fundraiser here.