Help Me Set Up Self-Support Systems via Singing

Hello!

My name is Charlene More. I have also gone by Charley More, my stage name. I am a voice artist, actor, poet and writer who for the past 2 years (since October 2nd, 2021, when I took the 2nd COV-19 vaccine) has been navigating through a significant shift in her health. By end of February, 2022, it was clear that I was not able to sustain employment, or to continue preliminary development of a voice acting/voice over business, or to be available for auditions as an actor or voice actor (which I was doing regularly up until that time). In April, 2022, I started receiving PWD ("Persons With Disability") Assistance from the Province of British Columbia. My rent is 50% of this income. And I have had expenses related to treatment of my acquired health condition, though I have necessarily much reduced these in recent months as funds and other personal resources have experienced depletion.

For many months I felt I couldn't make any effort toward my goals as an artist. More recently, my passion has been directing me both to renew my hope and faith, and to accept the level and circumstances of my body's participation as it is. And to reach out for support from community, rather than say, "I can't" or "I lack," or "I'm alone." Indeed I have felt at times unbearably alone and alienated. I do need help from others.

My younger brother has recently moved with his family to Alberta from Ontario, and so is now much closer to me (I'm in Vancouver), geographically. I have not seen him for quite a while, but have very recently spoken with him on the phone for the first time in years, and it was extraordinarily encouraging and comforting for me. We talked about the possibility of my coming out there for my birthday next month (November 27th), which would be the first time I'd be with family for my birthday in 24 years. My brother's offer was that if I could get myself out there, they would take care of all the meals (a much desired support, and break!) and accommodate me. I've been looking for "cheap flights" of course, and there are lots. These cheap flights also charge even for a carry-on, so it may turn out that flights with Air Canada or West Jet, generally 2.3 times as high in price, may be the better way to go. (I will keep looking into this, and should any funds come via this means, report on what I decide to do.)

While this may seem not to warrant reaching out to "strangers" and virtual connections for help (believe me, a couple of years ago I don't think I could have imagined myself actually doing this), I have felt, given my experience these past 2 years, and the waves of precariousness within it, I would rather risk however this may land in people's perceptions, than not try to receive the bolstering and relieving opportunity to reunite with my brother and his family.

The budget I am proposing for raised funds for a return flight to Calgary (where I myself once lived) is $250. So what's the other $435 for?

1) a (used) vocal pedal loop so that I can busk more confidently (and stand-out more), as I'm currently not playing any other instruments (nor do I own any), and generate some income when I feel up to it. If I had funds for this now, I would go out in the rain and busk! A friend of mine, who is also a yoga teacher at the yoga studio where I practiced for over 10 years, and I have been getting together about once every few weeks to sing together, with the hope that we might be among the live music providers in one of two classes at the Studio in which there is live music. This would also generate a little income, but there are quite a few steps to take before we could be invited on the live musician roster, even as substitutes, including recording experience of performing a full set in front of an audience, and individual recordings that students/clients of the Studio can access. This singing partner also does not currently publicly perform on other instruments (though we both have aims of getting our piano/keyboard groove back on, and have made some effort toward that, and playing other percussion instruments), and is also interested in acquiring a vocal pedal loop. We would likely share one, at least initially. "Good" ones, even used, start at $100. So I am budgeting $75 in this fund-raising endeavour for my half of the cost.

2) A microphone and amplifier for performance, based on the lowest Amazon rates. (I could perhaps get a used amplifier, but I’d rather not get a used mic, for health/sanitary-related reasons.) With tax and estimated shipping, the total for these two in this budget is $316.

That leaves us with $44 which potentially covers this systems transactions charges.

Thank you SO much for listening to my "story!" And for maybe considering contributing to my GoFundMe project if and as you are able. In a weird and wonderful way, it feels good to reach out to "the Community" with it, and with a request for support in connection with it.

Blessings and Namaste to you All,

Charlene/Charley

p.s. If I exceed my fundraising goal here, I will use the funds toward carefully selected treatment and therapy in pursuit of healing, both in better understanding and acceptance of myself now and in past and possible future scenarios, and in hope that wholeness and health is fully discovered.