Help Me Bridge the Gap Before Starting My New Job

Hi, my name is Ryan, and I need your support to overcome a financial hurdle before starting my new job as a transit operator with COTA. After facing a challenging period of financial hardship, I’ve worked hard to secure a stable, long-term career, but I need a little help covering essential expenses until I receive my first paycheck.

Why I Need Your Help

Starting a new job should be a fresh start, but without reliable transportation or stable housing, it’s difficult to get ahead. I’m raising $3,000 to cover:

$1,500 – A vehicle or down payment for reliable transportation.

$1,000 – Temporary housing while I secure permanent housing.

$500 – Essentials like food, gas, and daily expenses.

I’ve always been independent, but this transition period has been tough. Many of you have provided support over the past six months for which I am forever thankful. That said, this is the home stretch of my journey, and I just need a little more help to get over this hurdle. I’ll begin training on 4/16/2025 and once my paychecks start coming in, I’ll be fully self-sufficient again.

Why This Job Matters to Me

I’ve always had a deep love for transportation, logistics, and travel. Becoming a bus operator is more than just a job—it’s an opportunity to turn my passion into a meaningful career. I’m excited to serve my community, help people get where they need to go, and build a stable future for myself.

How Your Support Makes a Difference

This job is more than just employment—it’s an opportunity to rebuild my stability and future. Your generosity will help me secure transportation, stay housed, and cover basic needs while I wait for my first paycheck. With this support, I can focus on building a sustainable future without falling further behind.

The past year has been incredibly tough—I’ve experienced homelessness, lost many of my belongings (including my car), and struggled to make ends meet. At the same time, I’ve been working through grief and depression after losing my mom. Thanks to counseling and support, I’m making progress and ready to move forward. One of the biggest steps in that journey is honoring my mom’s final wishes. She wanted her ashes scattered close to home and in places that were meaningful to her across the U.S. Now that my life is moving in the right direction, it’s time to lay her to rest.

I know times are tough for many people, so any contribution, big or small, means the world to me. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this page with others can still make a huge difference.

Thank you for believing in me and helping me take this next step toward stability!