Hello,  My name is Lynda. This is the last thing I imagined myself doing at this point in my life especially when so many need so much.  I’m struggling now financially in a way I never thought possible so here I am.  In a nutshell, I’m  almost 70 years old, with no family to turn to and having not worked for over a year because of Covid have suddenly become one of those desperate people facing homelessness. I’m simply terrified and I don’t know what else to do but ask.  Even though I’m still capable of a lot I’m still 70 and alone so it makes it  harder to re-invent myself. I really need your help. I sent this out to a few people nine months ago but now I'm sending this to different people. If you accidentally get this a second time please just ignore it. 

I wanted to share something  about myself so you’d understand who you would be helping.  I was born and raised in Georgia but married someone from Massachusetts and moved to Boston when I was 19. I was unable to have children after a number of miscarriages and I’m an only child so Boston and friends became home.  I went to nursing school in Boston where I practiced for about 18 years followed by fulfilling work after I left nursing. My marriage ended and I’ve have been a member of 12-Step Recovery Programs ever since the mid 70s. Even though I haven’t  done it perfectly the 12 steps have been the foundation for life I needed. I’m also a serious animal volunteer and activist and have been for many years now.  Ive fostered 34 dogs, many cats one horse and a parrot all of which I found homes for. I have also volunteered in animal shelters with both dogs, cats and and on a show horse farm. 

While living in Boston both of my aging parents required my help. Being an only child  I spent months going back and forth to Georgia to help my Dad and my mother came and lived with me in Boston for 15 months until she died. Both of my parents passed away in 2000 and 2002.  My relationship with my mother was always very difficult, and she was extremely abusive to me but as a daughter I did my best and I’m proud to have cared for them so well.  It’s hard being a caretaker but it also taught me a lot about myself, life and my parents. 

After that, I researched the best up-and-coming places to purchase property and settled on Asheville, NC.  I had no family or friends there, but arrived with the hopes of turning a profit on real estate. Unfortunately, I put my entire trust in someone  (contractor) who took advantage of me and I lost almost my entire investment.  After three years and numerous battles, I had lost almost everything.  I knew I was suffering from severe stress, childhood trauma, and a feeling of hopelessness, but I had to keep moving forward so I moved and started over. 

I was an Uber and Lyft driver for over two years until Covid-19 shut everything down.  I moved to Temecula, California going out there to help out friends on a show horse farm but that level of physical work was too much for me. My mind said I could do all the physical work required, but my body failed me. In December 2020 I was hospitalized for over-exertion and really high blood pressure. Now physically I’m fine for an old girl. 

 Here is a pic of me with the horses in Oct. 2020.

 Here is my sweet, unusual 11-year-old dog.  She’s a character. Her name is Phoebe.  She has been with me for over 8 years.  She’s my magical little creature.

My biggest regret is that I left Massachusetts.  I’m homesick some part of everyday and it feels overwhelming to find my way home. I lived in the same residence for 23 years.  I can see my place in my minds eye so clearly and really miss the extended family I had there. The bottom line is I want to go home. I’m literally almost homeless with no options. 

I have no money….well  I have about 800.00 to my name, my social security covers my bills with little left over and I’m living with a friend that’s temporary. She’s selling her house and I have no where else to go. I’ve exhausted  ever hope. Because I’ve moved around I can’t get help from the state(s) and a lot of the problem is I’m high functioning so they figure I’ll be ok. Unfortunately people remember me when I was brave and confident but now that I’m basically desperate friends see me differently and turn away. I’m still very capable of working but it’s hard to find work when I’m almost homeless. My dream is to get back to Massachusetts….my home.

This is so hard for me, but if you could please donate something to help Phoebe and I find a humble roof over our heads until I find work, we would be forever grateful. The words gratitude and appreciation hardly seem big enough for how much it would mean to us.

Thank you for reading my story. 

With many thanks, Lynda and Phoebe ❤️✨