Save Michael From Eviction
Donation protected
My name is Michael Bryant and I live in Hollywood, FL. This September I was severly affected when Hurricane Irma came through the Florida Keys. I work remotely, with a major watersports company and my job is based in Key West, FL. I make reservations for people who want to snorkel, jet ski, parasail... basically tourists that just want to have a good time on the water during their vacation.
Although the damages to my apartment were minimal, the affect it had on my income was huge. I did not work for over a month after the hurricane, and since then my hours have only been part time. For the last 3 months I have struggled keeping up with my bills. The month of December has been my breaking point. I no longer have money for rent, and just received my 3 day notice for the eviction process to start.
My landlord has been very understanding over these months and has looked the other way when my rent has been late, but she has a job to do, and I can't be upset or mad regarding her responsiblities as the landlord. I have tried to get assistance with FL unemployment and FEMA, both of which have turned up fruitless.
Unemployment gave me $275, that was it.....FEMA, at the date I wrote this has given me nothing, $0
I'm going to share something with you, that my closest friends or co-workers do not know about me (well, until now, anyway):
For the last 10 years, I have been HIV+ and have been fighting this secret medical battle which only one person, my ex-partner knew about in full detail. I take no pleasure in making this public, but I can't let my foolish pride get in the way. I am not looking for pity, but people have been asking, "why not just get a part-time to get you through this", well this is the answer. I suffer from constant fatigue and depression related from my illness. Sometimes just getting out the bed is my major accomplishment of the day.
Working remotely has been a gift, but it has also been a curse. I very rarely leave this apartment, which means my friends are few, and socially I don't exist outside these 4 walls. Any amount would so greatly be appreciated, not looking to strike gold, actually not crazy about doing this at all, but being homeless is worse than proud and stubborn. $850 will get me caught up with rent, just rounded it to $1k, a little extra for maybe getting to eat at my favorite sushi place or going out to the movies (would love to see Star Wars) instead of the usual daily ration of Ramen noodles and watching reruns of M*A*S*H on TV Land would be a nice Christmas treat. 
. I am going to provide copies of my 3 day notice and some other screenshots showing my feeble attempts of getting help with the government.  
The above screenshot requires some clarification. On 09/13/2017 and 10/13/2017 is when I applied for personal property and housing assistance. An inspector did not come out and they withdrew my application. I appealed, an inspector later came out, did the survey and a few weeks later I was denied. Notice the Misc. Items is still pending. That was for a scooter which did receive some damage. The scooter is 10 years old and they were going to pay $250.00. It has been pending since 11/13/17.(Over a month in pending for a few hundred dollars) counting myself as lucky I could just get something in a pending status.  
Just when I couldn't be more disheartened about the U.S. government....here I have the state of FL, which really decided they could care less about my situation:  I circled the balance left from my maximum benefit. $3,300 minus $3,025 = $275 That's right ladies and gentlemen, $275 was all FL unemployment decided to give me. Why? well notice the waiting week. Even though there was a full week I was eligible for, you still have to wait a week to get benefits. It's not waived during times of disaster.
I was watching a CNN report today that 5 million people are still awaiting assistance from government agencies and are struggling just like I am. I know that my struggle is being shared by many over this horrific summer of hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters.
So far, in a few days I have reached 20% of my goal. I am very grateful for the current donations and please note, I am working on getting these screenshots better formatted. I know they are hard to view, but bear with me, I am not computer savvy but have friends who are. It is important for me to relay these documents to everyone that is taking time to read my story and consider donating your hard earned money over the Christmas holiday.
Although the damages to my apartment were minimal, the affect it had on my income was huge. I did not work for over a month after the hurricane, and since then my hours have only been part time. For the last 3 months I have struggled keeping up with my bills. The month of December has been my breaking point. I no longer have money for rent, and just received my 3 day notice for the eviction process to start.
My landlord has been very understanding over these months and has looked the other way when my rent has been late, but she has a job to do, and I can't be upset or mad regarding her responsiblities as the landlord. I have tried to get assistance with FL unemployment and FEMA, both of which have turned up fruitless.
Unemployment gave me $275, that was it.....FEMA, at the date I wrote this has given me nothing, $0
I'm going to share something with you, that my closest friends or co-workers do not know about me (well, until now, anyway):
For the last 10 years, I have been HIV+ and have been fighting this secret medical battle which only one person, my ex-partner knew about in full detail. I take no pleasure in making this public, but I can't let my foolish pride get in the way. I am not looking for pity, but people have been asking, "why not just get a part-time to get you through this", well this is the answer. I suffer from constant fatigue and depression related from my illness. Sometimes just getting out the bed is my major accomplishment of the day.
Working remotely has been a gift, but it has also been a curse. I very rarely leave this apartment, which means my friends are few, and socially I don't exist outside these 4 walls. Any amount would so greatly be appreciated, not looking to strike gold, actually not crazy about doing this at all, but being homeless is worse than proud and stubborn. $850 will get me caught up with rent, just rounded it to $1k, a little extra for maybe getting to eat at my favorite sushi place or going out to the movies (would love to see Star Wars) instead of the usual daily ration of Ramen noodles and watching reruns of M*A*S*H on TV Land would be a nice Christmas treat. 
. I am going to provide copies of my 3 day notice and some other screenshots showing my feeble attempts of getting help with the government.  
The above screenshot requires some clarification. On 09/13/2017 and 10/13/2017 is when I applied for personal property and housing assistance. An inspector did not come out and they withdrew my application. I appealed, an inspector later came out, did the survey and a few weeks later I was denied. Notice the Misc. Items is still pending. That was for a scooter which did receive some damage. The scooter is 10 years old and they were going to pay $250.00. It has been pending since 11/13/17.(Over a month in pending for a few hundred dollars) counting myself as lucky I could just get something in a pending status.  
Just when I couldn't be more disheartened about the U.S. government....here I have the state of FL, which really decided they could care less about my situation:  I circled the balance left from my maximum benefit. $3,300 minus $3,025 = $275 That's right ladies and gentlemen, $275 was all FL unemployment decided to give me. Why? well notice the waiting week. Even though there was a full week I was eligible for, you still have to wait a week to get benefits. It's not waived during times of disaster.
I was watching a CNN report today that 5 million people are still awaiting assistance from government agencies and are struggling just like I am. I know that my struggle is being shared by many over this horrific summer of hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters.
So far, in a few days I have reached 20% of my goal. I am very grateful for the current donations and please note, I am working on getting these screenshots better formatted. I know they are hard to view, but bear with me, I am not computer savvy but have friends who are. It is important for me to relay these documents to everyone that is taking time to read my story and consider donating your hard earned money over the Christmas holiday.
Organizer
Michael Bryant
Organizer
Hollywood, FL
