I’ve always tried to be resilient, but this past year has tested me in ways I never expected. My car, which I rely on every day to get to work, started overheating. I did my best to fix what I thought was the problem, but it turned out the head gasket was blown, and now I need a new engine. I still have two years left to pay on the car, and if I give it back, it will be a repossession that would set me back even further. Right now, I’m spending so much on Lyft and Uber just to get to work, and sometimes I’m lucky enough to get a ride from a coworker. It’s impossible to save money when so much is going toward transportation, and I’m worried about how much longer I can keep this up.

This struggle is especially hard because of everything I’ve overcome. A few years ago, I lost both my parents, which led me to drop out of grad school and become homeless. I hit rock bottom, but in 2023, I made the decision to heal and rebuild my life. I worked hard, found a job in my field, saved enough to move from Florida back to Alabama, and secured housing and a car. Up until my car problems, I was volunteering, doing DoorDash on the side, and even applying to graduate programs so I can finish my master’s degree and work as a therapist. I’m afraid that if I don’t get my car repaired, I’ll lose my job and risk becoming homeless again.

With your help, I can repair my car, keep my job, and continue working toward my goals. Your support means I can stay housed, keep helping others, and pursue my dream of becoming a therapist. Thank you for considering a donation and for being part of my journey.