Help Get Koahl & Mitzi to new Home
Donation protected
Hello everyone.
Have you ever been stuck in a jam and needed some help? Over the years I have met many people who have been and I was always happy to provide assistance when I could. Now here I am, my name is Mitzi and I have found myself and my beloved Koahl the Kool Kat stuck on the other side of the country in Kamloops B.C., with wildfires burning nearby and no way to get home.
A little background on me: my parents passed away when I was very young; my mom when I was only twelve and my father a few years later. After my Mom's passing my father left me in the care of my older sister Audrey . She took me in at the age of thirteen regardless of the fact that she was struggling with her own finances raising two small children. I moved out on my own when I was seventeen-going to school and paying my bills by taking on two jobs. Working hard for what I needed was what I knew best, causing me to become extremely independant.
I was born hearing impaired, wore hearing aids and had been bullied in my earlier years because I didn't know how to communicate-I was extremely shy because of it. In my teen years out of frustration and embarassment (the bullying got worse) I stopped wearing the hearing aids I learned how to "hear" in my own way; body language, facial expressions, reading lips which makes people watching fun! These skills have made me very intuitive and thankfully brought me out of my shyness. Audrey likes to think that living with her had something to do with it, I'll give her that. She's a talker and I had/have to still struggle to get a word in edgewise lol! I love you madly Audrey!
At the age of eighteen or nineteen I had learned that regardless of what the bullies were saying that that was their persception and not my reality. Having a positive attitude has helped me in life and I'm grateful for that.
In 2000 my older sister Rosie passed away leaving behind two children. Without a second thought I rented a van and drove across Canada to get my two nieces and bring them home to live with me. I believe I am very empathetic and extremely compassionate, always putting myself in others shoes and asking what I can do to help them regardless of the cost.
I have volunteered for: MS, The Canadian Cancer Society, PRIDE, The Hospital for Sick Children, The Ontario School Board, The Salvation Army, Beat the Streets-homelessness, various soup kitchens and more.
I'm starting this campaign on the advice of a few of my friends. Also because I was done a severe injustice. Unfortunately I currently do not have the financial means to challenge what happened in a court of law. Even if I could it would be difficult as the job offer was verbal (nothing signed-but still illegal according to the Canadian Contractual Law) and according to the head office of the comapany the hiring manager has since been terminated under very shady circumstances.
Essentially what happened was this. Since the job market in Toronto, Ontario was so competitive/bad, I jumped at the opportunity to work out of province when I received a text (one of many) from a prior boss in Fort McMurray, Alberta. (at this point I had been unemployed for more then a year and currently still am, but not from lack of trying). This offer included discounted accommodations (I worked for a rental housing company) and use of a company vehicle to visit clients in addition to a reasonable salary.
I sub-let my Toronto apartment (and subsidized the rent by $500.00 because "Sandra" couldn't afford the full amount-I thought I had a job) and boarded a flight with my fur baby. Upon arrival I was callously told "Sorry no job, it fell through". even though I had it in writing that "The boss says it's a go!" With no place to stay during the winter and a suitcase full of (now) unsuitable business clothes, I had to rely on the pity and charity of friends. Which is very hard for me as I have always had a job since the age of twelve (I had to lie about my age) so I could make some money. My first job was inside a shaking burger shack which was at the bottom of a rollercoaster ride. It was The Flyer at the Canadian National Exhibition-fairgrounds-it doesn't take much to make me happy lol.
I have been desperately searching for work but even the local Wal-mart and Starbucks are not hiring. I have exhausted the possibilities of borrowing more money from family and friends and because my apartment has been rented out I have nowhere to go and essentially am stuck out in Western Canada.
A friend has offered me and my boy Koahl modest but at least private and comfortable accommodations in exchange to assist her in a home based business and around the house and gardens.
She lives in Uruguay and relies on tourism for income, during low season there is not much money to be made so she unable to assist in the cost of plane fare for Koahl and I.
We have conservatively come up with budget that would allow for his vet bills, food and his paperwork fee to travel. My phone bill that is long overdue so that I may keep in touch and in case of an emergency when traveling a long distance. Some clothing as I currently own two pairs of shorts, three t-shirts, a dress and three pairs of shoes. Both of us to fly home to Toronto where I can pack up sentimental items, store them and give up the apartment I love but can no longer afford. Only to get on another plane a few days later to fly to S.A., and a tiny bit of spending money for food during the multiple layovers (we chose the cheapest flight route possible).
Words cannot even describe how this situation has beaten down my pride and self confidence. A self reliant person since a young age and I'm now subjected to basically taking hand outs from friends which only makes me feel more demoralized. I can already feel signs of depression creeping in, but trying to remain positive. I am so not one to ask for help and am very reluctant of putting this out on social media-it took me weeks to post it. I have read other stories on Go Fund Me and see the kindness of so many people and thought what else do I possibly have to lose at this point? As I have already lost so much and don't have much left, but the love of family and friends.
I am a bright, articulate, friendly, hardworking person and I definitely didn't deserve this to happen to me-nobody does. The company which I can't name for obvious reasons should be ashamed of how they dealt with this matter. At this time a letter of protest is being sent to the Board of Directors, however I do not hold out any hope that it will make a difference as HR has already denied me-twice. The fact alone that a publicly traded company accountable to shareholders-(one being a major bank) and they would not even reimburse me for the flight and a monetary settlement for breach of contract is absurd.
If you can find it in your hearts to help me out so I can pick up the pieces of my life, and once again feel like a contributing, self reliant person it would be a blessing. There is an open door waiting for us, we just need some help to get there.
Every little bit helps, even $5 dollar aids us in getting closer to our goal. If you are not able to help financially, we totally understand, but you would be helping greatly by sharing and get the word out to others. Thank you for your time and your kindness.
Happiness to you,
Humbly yours,
Mitzi and Koahl The Kool Kat.
Have you ever been stuck in a jam and needed some help? Over the years I have met many people who have been and I was always happy to provide assistance when I could. Now here I am, my name is Mitzi and I have found myself and my beloved Koahl the Kool Kat stuck on the other side of the country in Kamloops B.C., with wildfires burning nearby and no way to get home.
A little background on me: my parents passed away when I was very young; my mom when I was only twelve and my father a few years later. After my Mom's passing my father left me in the care of my older sister Audrey . She took me in at the age of thirteen regardless of the fact that she was struggling with her own finances raising two small children. I moved out on my own when I was seventeen-going to school and paying my bills by taking on two jobs. Working hard for what I needed was what I knew best, causing me to become extremely independant.
I was born hearing impaired, wore hearing aids and had been bullied in my earlier years because I didn't know how to communicate-I was extremely shy because of it. In my teen years out of frustration and embarassment (the bullying got worse) I stopped wearing the hearing aids I learned how to "hear" in my own way; body language, facial expressions, reading lips which makes people watching fun! These skills have made me very intuitive and thankfully brought me out of my shyness. Audrey likes to think that living with her had something to do with it, I'll give her that. She's a talker and I had/have to still struggle to get a word in edgewise lol! I love you madly Audrey!
At the age of eighteen or nineteen I had learned that regardless of what the bullies were saying that that was their persception and not my reality. Having a positive attitude has helped me in life and I'm grateful for that.
In 2000 my older sister Rosie passed away leaving behind two children. Without a second thought I rented a van and drove across Canada to get my two nieces and bring them home to live with me. I believe I am very empathetic and extremely compassionate, always putting myself in others shoes and asking what I can do to help them regardless of the cost.
I have volunteered for: MS, The Canadian Cancer Society, PRIDE, The Hospital for Sick Children, The Ontario School Board, The Salvation Army, Beat the Streets-homelessness, various soup kitchens and more.
I'm starting this campaign on the advice of a few of my friends. Also because I was done a severe injustice. Unfortunately I currently do not have the financial means to challenge what happened in a court of law. Even if I could it would be difficult as the job offer was verbal (nothing signed-but still illegal according to the Canadian Contractual Law) and according to the head office of the comapany the hiring manager has since been terminated under very shady circumstances.
Essentially what happened was this. Since the job market in Toronto, Ontario was so competitive/bad, I jumped at the opportunity to work out of province when I received a text (one of many) from a prior boss in Fort McMurray, Alberta. (at this point I had been unemployed for more then a year and currently still am, but not from lack of trying). This offer included discounted accommodations (I worked for a rental housing company) and use of a company vehicle to visit clients in addition to a reasonable salary.
I sub-let my Toronto apartment (and subsidized the rent by $500.00 because "Sandra" couldn't afford the full amount-I thought I had a job) and boarded a flight with my fur baby. Upon arrival I was callously told "Sorry no job, it fell through". even though I had it in writing that "The boss says it's a go!" With no place to stay during the winter and a suitcase full of (now) unsuitable business clothes, I had to rely on the pity and charity of friends. Which is very hard for me as I have always had a job since the age of twelve (I had to lie about my age) so I could make some money. My first job was inside a shaking burger shack which was at the bottom of a rollercoaster ride. It was The Flyer at the Canadian National Exhibition-fairgrounds-it doesn't take much to make me happy lol.
I have been desperately searching for work but even the local Wal-mart and Starbucks are not hiring. I have exhausted the possibilities of borrowing more money from family and friends and because my apartment has been rented out I have nowhere to go and essentially am stuck out in Western Canada.
A friend has offered me and my boy Koahl modest but at least private and comfortable accommodations in exchange to assist her in a home based business and around the house and gardens.
She lives in Uruguay and relies on tourism for income, during low season there is not much money to be made so she unable to assist in the cost of plane fare for Koahl and I.
We have conservatively come up with budget that would allow for his vet bills, food and his paperwork fee to travel. My phone bill that is long overdue so that I may keep in touch and in case of an emergency when traveling a long distance. Some clothing as I currently own two pairs of shorts, three t-shirts, a dress and three pairs of shoes. Both of us to fly home to Toronto where I can pack up sentimental items, store them and give up the apartment I love but can no longer afford. Only to get on another plane a few days later to fly to S.A., and a tiny bit of spending money for food during the multiple layovers (we chose the cheapest flight route possible).
Words cannot even describe how this situation has beaten down my pride and self confidence. A self reliant person since a young age and I'm now subjected to basically taking hand outs from friends which only makes me feel more demoralized. I can already feel signs of depression creeping in, but trying to remain positive. I am so not one to ask for help and am very reluctant of putting this out on social media-it took me weeks to post it. I have read other stories on Go Fund Me and see the kindness of so many people and thought what else do I possibly have to lose at this point? As I have already lost so much and don't have much left, but the love of family and friends.
I am a bright, articulate, friendly, hardworking person and I definitely didn't deserve this to happen to me-nobody does. The company which I can't name for obvious reasons should be ashamed of how they dealt with this matter. At this time a letter of protest is being sent to the Board of Directors, however I do not hold out any hope that it will make a difference as HR has already denied me-twice. The fact alone that a publicly traded company accountable to shareholders-(one being a major bank) and they would not even reimburse me for the flight and a monetary settlement for breach of contract is absurd.
If you can find it in your hearts to help me out so I can pick up the pieces of my life, and once again feel like a contributing, self reliant person it would be a blessing. There is an open door waiting for us, we just need some help to get there.
Every little bit helps, even $5 dollar aids us in getting closer to our goal. If you are not able to help financially, we totally understand, but you would be helping greatly by sharing and get the word out to others. Thank you for your time and your kindness.
Happiness to you,
Humbly yours,
Mitzi and Koahl The Kool Kat.
Organizer
Mitzi Young
Organizer
Toronto, ON