NOT about to be homeless at age 60
Donation protected
(L, kid. R, me)
Being as brief as possible—I'm an underemployed artist/designer in Oregon. I'm used to living on the financial edges, but the last few years have been really hard since losing my farm, business and life savings back in 2011. Not a unique story in these times, but a storm of financial circumstances that continues to affect me.
I moved out here to do some caregiving and companionship for a sick friend, but have no family or support system in place now that she has passed away.
I'm somewhat disabled; severe arthritis and achilles tendonitis make any job requiring walking impossible, and work in my former field (graphic design) has been extremely difficult to find at age 60. Working at just-over minimum wage, formerly full time but now part time is not close to paying the bills and I, along with my two 3-legged cats are about to become homeless (pets are not an option at shelters).
I'm hoping to raise enough to have a stable place to live for six months as I continue to search for a job with a living wage, and work on self employment strategies. I have downsized over the last few years from a 3 bedroom house + art studio to living in just one rented room, and would really like to be able to store furniture and studio equipment so I don't have to replace it all.
Immediate term goal: $250 to insulate my 1992 cargo van and make it liveable for a few months + $400 for storage (needed by 9/20/16).
Mid term goal: 6 months rent on a studio or 1 bedroom apartment. The rental market is incredible tight in Portland and base rent is $900/month for the smallest of spaces. ANY help will be much appreciated.
Long term goals: (just FYI, as hoping to provide this for myself). Studio space and time to devote to upgrading my graphic design marketability (ie, motion design training). Here are my websites:
Graphic Design
Fiber Arts
Garden/Environmental Sculpture
Handmade on Amazon
I will be happy to accept commissions, of course—I'd much rather be working! (handknit projects, graphic design for print, and garden sculpture/hardscaping).
I am hoping to not be living in my van in 3 weeks! Thank you so much for helping. I will pass it along when I'm on my feet again. I could not begin to tell you how grateful I will be.
Much love to the goodness of humanity,
Ellen
(plus Maccumbee and Cassidy, the cats)Save
Being as brief as possible—I'm an underemployed artist/designer in Oregon. I'm used to living on the financial edges, but the last few years have been really hard since losing my farm, business and life savings back in 2011. Not a unique story in these times, but a storm of financial circumstances that continues to affect me.
I moved out here to do some caregiving and companionship for a sick friend, but have no family or support system in place now that she has passed away.
I'm somewhat disabled; severe arthritis and achilles tendonitis make any job requiring walking impossible, and work in my former field (graphic design) has been extremely difficult to find at age 60. Working at just-over minimum wage, formerly full time but now part time is not close to paying the bills and I, along with my two 3-legged cats are about to become homeless (pets are not an option at shelters).
I'm hoping to raise enough to have a stable place to live for six months as I continue to search for a job with a living wage, and work on self employment strategies. I have downsized over the last few years from a 3 bedroom house + art studio to living in just one rented room, and would really like to be able to store furniture and studio equipment so I don't have to replace it all.
Immediate term goal: $250 to insulate my 1992 cargo van and make it liveable for a few months + $400 for storage (needed by 9/20/16).
Mid term goal: 6 months rent on a studio or 1 bedroom apartment. The rental market is incredible tight in Portland and base rent is $900/month for the smallest of spaces. ANY help will be much appreciated.
Long term goals: (just FYI, as hoping to provide this for myself). Studio space and time to devote to upgrading my graphic design marketability (ie, motion design training). Here are my websites:
Graphic Design
Fiber Arts
Garden/Environmental Sculpture
Handmade on Amazon
I will be happy to accept commissions, of course—I'd much rather be working! (handknit projects, graphic design for print, and garden sculpture/hardscaping).
I am hoping to not be living in my van in 3 weeks! Thank you so much for helping. I will pass it along when I'm on my feet again. I could not begin to tell you how grateful I will be.
Much love to the goodness of humanity,
Ellen
(plus Maccumbee and Cassidy, the cats)Save
Organiser
Ellen Kardell
Organiser
Oregon City, OR