I'll be home[less] for Christmas
Donation protected
Due to a series of unforeseeable events, I am reaching out to the world and powers that be, for a little help.
Since transitioning in 2014, stable housing and employment has been a major obstacle, and as of January 1st my dog Peppergirl and I find ourselves in a position of dispair.
If anyone in southern Oregon has any options let me know, please. I don't have a huge network of friends locally. Trying to stay near my doctors. I've been virtually homeless since the adult foster home I was staying at closed in August.
My caseworker at disability services has come up empty handed and has exhausted her resources. Being of the younger population and having a dog, my resources have been limited.
I'm asking for help to get over this hump because I'm at wits end. I don't receive and financial assistance and have been denied when applying for ssi and the general assistance program.
I work with an employment special through Columbia Care and Vocational Rehabilitation, and the biggest barrier to finding employment has been STABLE housing. They have helped me develop a resume, provided me with clothes for interviews, a 6 month bus pass, they will pay for my GED come the new year, and even contact lenses!
Jackson Care Connect covers all of my medical expenses, and with OHP Medicaid I'm qualified to stay in assisted living facility or adult foster home. The problem is that this part of Oregon is in such a housing crisis people are being held at the hospital because there is nowhere for them to be released.
Many people are unaware I experience a level of physical and mental limitation. When I moved to Oregon I was quite ambitious after spending 4years traveling volunteering on organic farms to up and !over across the country from Northeast Pennsylvania to the Central coast range of Oregon. My ex-parntmer and I worked our butts off, proving to ourselves, families and community we had what it took!
After an accumulative 8 years of wear and tear on my body, using many "old" techniques of gardening, using hand tools and what was available on our budget, my body started to give in. As a result, I've developed significant nerve pain symptoms of disc degeneration in my spine and a pelvic floor dysfunction.
Theseissues were drastic enough to prevent me from doing the farm work alone once my partner and I went separate ways, also at the beginning of my transition.
This is all really hard for me to put into words, and share.
Transitioning from the old version of me to who I am now was imminent. For some, it could have been seen as a choice of life or death. I was born with an intersex condition called hypospadias, where the genitals don't fully form and comes with varying degrees. At birth, doctor's decide what it looks like the most, and what would be potientially the best choice for the child and it's genitals functionality.
I had three surgeries from up until I was 3 years old. Two were less than successful, creating scar tissue until a third surgeon came in to "ccorrect" it. Having had to pee thru a tube in my urethra during that time, always having to sit to pee... I was aware something was different. As long as I can remember, I knew something inside was different.
Being raised Catholic, and in a relatively conservative house hold, discussion on gender or sexuality were doomed taboo. The term transgender wasn't flying around the general public, and I sure as hell didn't want!t to be seen as anything different.
It took me failing out of school, not taking care of my body, or mental health, losing many lifelong friends for me to finally be comfortable with who I am and commit to transition.
Oregon is the best place for me right now. I have bottom (GCS) surgery scheduled a year from this March. A great therapist and supportive doctors. With stable housing will enable me to stay consistent with physically therapy and HRT.
Being early in transition, gender dysphoria is real. I've tried working odd jobs out of the public to work around my anxiety revolving facial hair or my voice. Every one of these jobs have taken me 2 steps backwards and I rarely go out except for grocery shopping and doctor appointments.
My goal, with you help, is to find a long term rental situation I can afford with a job I can secure with my barriers, while continuing my education post GED, where I know I can surround myself with like minded individuals, to obtain the credentials that are important for me to prosper and one day give back to the community.
Rentals in this area are roughly $600 a month + utilities often requiring 1st last and deposit. I have 2 ESA letters for Peppergirl that should get her into most places with me. My funds are generously limited right now, and will keep inmp a motel for maybe a week.
Thanks for taking the time to read and your support is greatly appreciated <3
Also shout out to the footwork, electronic music community and LGBT+ brothers/sisters/allies for the ongoing support and encouragement.
Love you all
Since transitioning in 2014, stable housing and employment has been a major obstacle, and as of January 1st my dog Peppergirl and I find ourselves in a position of dispair.
If anyone in southern Oregon has any options let me know, please. I don't have a huge network of friends locally. Trying to stay near my doctors. I've been virtually homeless since the adult foster home I was staying at closed in August.
My caseworker at disability services has come up empty handed and has exhausted her resources. Being of the younger population and having a dog, my resources have been limited.
I'm asking for help to get over this hump because I'm at wits end. I don't receive and financial assistance and have been denied when applying for ssi and the general assistance program.
I work with an employment special through Columbia Care and Vocational Rehabilitation, and the biggest barrier to finding employment has been STABLE housing. They have helped me develop a resume, provided me with clothes for interviews, a 6 month bus pass, they will pay for my GED come the new year, and even contact lenses!
Jackson Care Connect covers all of my medical expenses, and with OHP Medicaid I'm qualified to stay in assisted living facility or adult foster home. The problem is that this part of Oregon is in such a housing crisis people are being held at the hospital because there is nowhere for them to be released.
Many people are unaware I experience a level of physical and mental limitation. When I moved to Oregon I was quite ambitious after spending 4years traveling volunteering on organic farms to up and !over across the country from Northeast Pennsylvania to the Central coast range of Oregon. My ex-parntmer and I worked our butts off, proving to ourselves, families and community we had what it took!
After an accumulative 8 years of wear and tear on my body, using many "old" techniques of gardening, using hand tools and what was available on our budget, my body started to give in. As a result, I've developed significant nerve pain symptoms of disc degeneration in my spine and a pelvic floor dysfunction.
Theseissues were drastic enough to prevent me from doing the farm work alone once my partner and I went separate ways, also at the beginning of my transition.
This is all really hard for me to put into words, and share.
Transitioning from the old version of me to who I am now was imminent. For some, it could have been seen as a choice of life or death. I was born with an intersex condition called hypospadias, where the genitals don't fully form and comes with varying degrees. At birth, doctor's decide what it looks like the most, and what would be potientially the best choice for the child and it's genitals functionality.
I had three surgeries from up until I was 3 years old. Two were less than successful, creating scar tissue until a third surgeon came in to "ccorrect" it. Having had to pee thru a tube in my urethra during that time, always having to sit to pee... I was aware something was different. As long as I can remember, I knew something inside was different.
Being raised Catholic, and in a relatively conservative house hold, discussion on gender or sexuality were doomed taboo. The term transgender wasn't flying around the general public, and I sure as hell didn't want!t to be seen as anything different.
It took me failing out of school, not taking care of my body, or mental health, losing many lifelong friends for me to finally be comfortable with who I am and commit to transition.
Oregon is the best place for me right now. I have bottom (GCS) surgery scheduled a year from this March. A great therapist and supportive doctors. With stable housing will enable me to stay consistent with physically therapy and HRT.
Being early in transition, gender dysphoria is real. I've tried working odd jobs out of the public to work around my anxiety revolving facial hair or my voice. Every one of these jobs have taken me 2 steps backwards and I rarely go out except for grocery shopping and doctor appointments.
My goal, with you help, is to find a long term rental situation I can afford with a job I can secure with my barriers, while continuing my education post GED, where I know I can surround myself with like minded individuals, to obtain the credentials that are important for me to prosper and one day give back to the community.
Rentals in this area are roughly $600 a month + utilities often requiring 1st last and deposit. I have 2 ESA letters for Peppergirl that should get her into most places with me. My funds are generously limited right now, and will keep inmp a motel for maybe a week.
Thanks for taking the time to read and your support is greatly appreciated <3
Also shout out to the footwork, electronic music community and LGBT+ brothers/sisters/allies for the ongoing support and encouragement.
Love you all
Organizer and beneficiary
Anika Winkler
Organizer
Ashland, OR
Art Russell
Beneficiary
