HOMELESS BUT NOT HOPELESS

Hi my name is Marissa and I'm just your average Jersey girl that so desperately wants to live a normal life. Never in a million years did I ever imagine that I would wind up in a situation like my current one. Embarrassing doesn't even begin to describe how it feels to admit that I am both homeless and without a vehicle living on the streets just trying to survive from day to day. I can't even use the word living cause being out here I'm not living, I'm just existing.

I feel like homelessness comes with a stigma, but nothing other than falling in love with the wrong man got me in this situation. After 13 years together with my boyfriend, he cheated on me with my best friend who was also our next door neighbor. Unfortunately, everything was in his name so I was left with absolutely nothing. Shortly after that, my mother had a hip replacement and was then diagnosed with alzheimers. As far as my father goes, he has never really been a part of my life ever.

My mom raised a strong, smart, independent woman which is why it's so hard for me to write this. Despite me being homeless I do have a job, but it's beyond hard to save for anything when you don't have stable housing or a vehicle to live in.

A car would not only help me get to work, but it would give me shelter, a place to sleep and keep me safe, and allow me to make some extra money with delivery/gig work apps.

Unless you have been in my shoes, you have no idea how hard being on the street with nothing honest and truly is. Especially because shelters are full, 211 doesn't help and waiting lists for housing can take years. Being homeless and without a car takes a toll on me both mentally and physically. As much as I'm trying to do this on my own, I've come to the realization that I desperately am in need of some help. Someone once told me don't think

of it as asking for a hand out, think of it as a hand up. Getting a car would completely change my life in more ways than one and give me an extra glimmer of hope that there is a light at the end of this homeless tunnel. Please anything helps and thank you so much for allowing me to share my story.