Hi, I'm Michael. I am a dad, friend, writer, sports journalist, as well as a gig worker trying to survive in a new city and avoid homelessness in the Midwest. A while ago, I lost my full-time job after having emergency surgery and recovery, and life hasn't been the same since. Since then, I have gone from day-to-day to currently week-to-week in an AirBNB with minimal to zero income and the impending challenge of homelessness every 6-7 days. It is painful to live through, as my immediate family have mostly passed away and we have zero resources minus food banks. Without any cushion or close people to turn to, this has left me in this maze, this wheel of struggle that never seems to end.

This situation has gone on for much longer than I anticipated, and I am praying that something gives soon. I had savings before despite not being in the best situation, but it wasn't much at that point. As savings dwindled quickly, I found myself with no work outside of random odd jobs and a freelance writing gig that only went so far until June 2025 ended. Since June 2025, with no income at all, I have to raise funds every week to not end up on the street. Thus, when you see the amount here, this is amassed weekly since the early part of 2025. I would like to not live week to week, but this is my reality currently.

I do not have the credit nor the funds to afford a security deposit plus first month's rent, as I am living in a week to week battle to avoid homelessness. When I had savings, I was rejected for apartments because I had lost my job and did not have verifiable income and even if I did, it would not have met the 3X rent requirements due to rising prices of apartments and homes.

There are days I feel broken. Without my daughter, I might have given up. When my mom passed, I was ready to give up. When I ended up in the hospital for a month and had emergency surgery that I couldn't afford, I was ready to give up. When I lost my job, ready to give up. When I lost my uncle, aunt, and several cousins in a three month span, ready to give up. But, I haven't. My beautiful daughter that smiles so brightly when she sees me is what has kept me going in the face of what feels like immeasurable odds. We all have to find our reasons to keep going, even when life has brought us down.

I am fighting to survive weekly. This is my situation. This is life, unfortunately. I am not the only one fighting these battles, there are many who need help and I pray they receive it and then some. Anything that helps goes a long way. Please consider.

This picture you see is of me as a child with my grandmother, who I lost when I was 7. I am always leery of the internet and posting pictures of yourself, but I was inspired by someone who put a picture of themselves as a kid. And as a result, here we are.

BE KIND. SHOW EMPATHY. Thanks all.