PLEASE HELP ME GET BACK ON MY FEET

HELP ME GET MY FEET BACK ON THE GROUND

A friend’s late mother used to say, “Always pay your rent so that you’ll have a place to live. Because people will feed you, but they don’t want you to live with ‘em.” I never thought that I’d be in a position to prove that this statement was true– oh, was I wrong!

Sadly, abruptly being let go from my job without any severance or unemployment benefits and being unable to find a job for well over a year have left me in the very position that I never thought I would be in – facing eviction from my apartment for non-payment of rent.

I’m embarrassed and ashamed to be in this spirit-breaking situation – head hung low, crying more times than I can count. Other times laughing to hide the shame and to avoid crying my heart out. I’ve cried so hard sometimes that I just start hiccupping. I’ve almost lost my ever-present, always comforting sense of humor. Almost.

I’ve sent out so many job applications and followed so many leads from friends, family, and even strangers until I’ve lost count. Retail stores, boutiques, CVS, Duane Reade, and even Mickey D’s turned me down. All I keep getting is that I’m overqualified. OVERQUALIFIED? For what? To eat and live indoors? Damn, is being overqualified gonna get me evicted?!

Well-meaning souls (and there have been plenty of them) even suggested that I seek city agency assistance (you know, welfare). And before you ask, yes I’ve also gone to every city agency for assistance that I was told about. There’s not enough room here for me to tell you about those experiences. Like the representative who said that I didn’t qualify but recommended that I meet her friend who was a bank but not a bank. In other words… a loan shark. Maybe I’ve seen too many movies, but I like my knees, fingers, and toes. These experiences will be in the book I someday hope to write.

 I have worked non-stop since the beginning of high school. People constantly ask me the same question I keep asking myself: Why can’t I find a job now? I’m educated, have years of work experience in various areas (editor, executive assistant, educator, to name a few) and have kept my skills sharp and current.  And still, I’m unemployed.

I’m currently in court with my landlord. An eviction notice is on hold, hanging over my head like a guillotine. I also have some serious health issues that I need to take care of,  but the way it is - no job, means no insurance, means no doctor. You get the picture. It’s been a Catch-22 all around.

 Still, I’m a child of Broadway endings – The sun will come out tomorrow. I’m down, not out. But all songs and jokes aside, I have come to a place where I totally grasp that none of us can make it alone in life. Eventually, we all face the moment when we need a community of other human beings to hold us up. This is such a moment for me.

Family and friends have helped whenever they could. Unfortunately, those funds haven’t been enough to cover my rent and medical needs. The amounts are just too high. Plus, most of them are sadly in similar positions.

I know that I’ll eventually get a job (like I said, I’m down, almost – not out). But for right now – this very moment, I need a hand.  A helping hand. So here I am.

 I will use the money that you contribute to pay ONLY for my rent payment and medical needs. Once I have the security of my home and a doctor, I can regroup and rise to the challenge of getting the job that I know is out there for me.

 If there is a way for a donation to me to be tax exempt,  I am happy to share whatever information you need to make it happen.

I know that many people are facing the same things that I’m going through. If you have already responded to a personal request like this, please keep up the good work and continue helping that human being for as long as they need to stand on their feet. If on the other hand, you have not made a contribution to a person like me, I invite you to help me pick myself up and I will tell you my victory story some day.

You know, writing this request to friends, family, and kind strangers is not an easy thing for me to do. But pride be damned!

I will never forget your kindness and generosity, and if you so desire, I will keep you updated on my progress. I also thank you for sharing this with anyone in your personal and social networks.

 Thank you for contributing and becoming a part of my journey back to wholeness.

 Twitter: https://twitter.com/jorvan1113