<div><strong>Give Faolan and Po a second chance at life.</strong>
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<div>My name is Po, and over the five years I’ve rented a house in North Austin, I’ve made it into a home I can be proud of. It’s been a temporary respite for at-risk queer adults who needed a place to stay, the source of hundreds of free hot meals, a print studio for free art and education, and a gathering place for people who believe that the world can get better through the power of love and kindness.
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<div>Sadly, helping people is not what the world runs on- money is. The people that we help each week are struggling too. Our community has been very supportive, but we cannot in good conscience take with one hand while we give with the other.
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<div>We are seeking help to cover the costs associated with renewing our lease and paying our rent, in order to keep ourselves and our animals housed and our home open as a third space for the Austin queer community. If we can’t raise $3,000 by July 25th, we will lose our home, our pets, and our ability to help others in need.
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<div>For every dollar we raise above our goal, it will be used to fund the work we do- supporting our local community and spreading free public education and resources. <strong>If you believe what we do helps to make the world a better place, please consider donating. With your help, we can magnify the impact we make every day.</strong>
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<div><strong>Who Are We?</strong>
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<div><strong>Po</strong>, 36, is an educational designer working full-time as a security guard with no paid time off. Beyond her job, she helps organize and connect local queer community groups for adults, teens and families. She creates print materials teaching independence, safety, and social skills, and distributes them freely throughout Austin and major queer events in Texas. Her favorite thing is cooking, and she hosts free community dinners out of her home biweekly. She has two dogs, Rocky and Archer.
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<div><strong>Faolan</strong>, 24, is a model, artist, and activist. In August he left his ex husband with only what he could carry, and has been living here for seven months. In December he found a job managing a store nearby, but it was closed without warning in January, and he has been out of work since. Faolan also cooks, coordinates events, and helps to support the local community. He is passionate about art and hosts community art nights every month. He has two cats, Mona and Cuno.
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<div>Our house has been a third space for others for nearly two years now. In our yard, dogs play and we grow herbs and vegetables to cook for our guests. In our kitchen we cook up healthy and tasty meals for the community. We vacuum-seal fresh dinners to always have home cooking to share with folks in need, and deliver them to those without transportation. In our living room, our community gathers to discuss current events, support one another through these difficult times, and share joy together in defiance of the world outside. In our art loft, we create the pamphlets and resources we distribute, and make our own personal art alongside our community.
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<div><strong>Our Second Chance</strong>
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<div><strong>Po:</strong>
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<div>“In 2024, I was struggling with depression and anxiety. I was put on a medication called Sertraline and left to rot in bed for months by doctors that did not care. I had never been suicidal, until I suffered the side effects of that medication. I withdrew from friends and family, isolated myself, drained my savings, and planned my exit. I made a plan to do it in a way that my friends and family wouldn’t have to see me. While waiting for the right moment, something happened. I let go of all the reasons I had been telling myself not to be an activist, not to help others, the reasons I had been raised to be afraid of for my entire life. I made a deal with myself, to live fully by my values and do what I thought was right instead of what I was told. I stopped taking the medication, and started to live my life without letting fear hold me back.
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<div>I mean, what’s the worst it could do? Kill me?
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<div>Nobody talks about how much it sucks to beat suicide. Friends don’t come back. The problems you put off don’t go away. The time and money I spent while unemployed set me back in ways that I’m still trying catch up on. Unforeseen bills, car repairs, and emergencies have depleted everything I’ve managed to make since then.
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<div>Living my values was the way to defeat my depression. The lives I touch and the people I help give me a reason to be excited to get out of bed every day. Doing my part to help the world be a better place makes me feel empowered and invested in my own life. I found my calling, and with your support I know I can accomplish even bigger and better things.”
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<div><strong>Faolan:</strong>
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<div>“This time last year, I was living partially bed-bound in a house that was falling apart and roach infested, with no air conditioning in 100+ degree weather. I was living in a state of constant anxiety due to my ex-husbands bad mental health and unstable temper. I was unable to work, and my mother in law’s pay was not enough to support her and us. I was trying to keep us fed on money from my friends and family as well as limited online work, but we’d sometimes have to survive on bread or eggs alone for days at a time.
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<div>I left with only the things I could carry, I was too afraid to go collect my things later on. I know they stalk me online, and through connections here. Once I left, this house gave me the safety I needed to process that period of my life, and that helped me learn a lot about communication, trust, and the building of healthy relationships. Po and I joined forces to take on the world and help others. I now have more freedom than I’ve ever had before, and a supportive environment to grow in and pursue my goals.”
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<div><strong>What’s At Stake?</strong>
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<div>If we don’t raise the funds, we will have to vacate the premises by July 31st. I will be living out of my car with no AC until I can save enough to afford a car with A/C (and the increased insurance premiums.) Faolan will have to decide between car life or back on the couch of his family’s crowded home. Our dog Archer will live out the rest of his days with my mother, but the rest of our animals will need to be re-homed.
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<div><strong>Our Activism</strong>
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<div>When not working, standing in line at the food bank, or dealing with the endless demands necessary to exist, Faolan and I help others through our organization <a href="https://realtalkfurs.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Real Talk Fur All</a> , along with our friend Alex. We started Real Talk to provide human solutions to human problems, and we’ve accomplished the following since the start of 2025:
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<div><strong>26 </strong>meets each year (35 and counting), hosted from our home, always free and open to everyone.
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<div><strong>300+</strong> meals served out of our kitchen during our meets, always free.
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<div><strong>60+</strong> crisis resources catalogued and distributed to thousands across the state.
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<div><strong>5th </strong>Thanksgiving consecutively hosted for those without family to celebrate with.
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<div><strong>10 </strong>Informational pamphlets (and counting) on topics like Consent, Handling Triggers, Alcohol Safety, and Making Friends.
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<div><strong>5000</strong>(and counting!) pamphlets printed, folded, and distributed at events around Texas and businesses around Austin.
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<div>We spread resources and educational materials to <strong>9,135 </strong>attendees at our latest event.
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<div>We’ve also mentored other groups on hosting events, hosted multiple social events out of our home on behalf of other community groups, established a lending library for useful and transformative works along with free art supplies, and made friends with countless members of our Austin queer community. <strong>Our work has shown itself to have an immediate impact improving lives in our community. The more time and resources we have to devote to Real Talk, the greater that impact will be.</strong>
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<div><strong>How Will the Money Be Spent?</strong>
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<div>Faolan and I are both very frugal people, and know how to make a little go a long way.
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<div>The money we raise will be responsibly and sustainably used for:
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<ul>
<li>Renewing our lease and paying our rent.
</li>
<li>Rebuilding our lives in the wake of our triumphs over suicide and domestic abuse- practical clothes, shoes, car repairs, etc.
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<li>Feeding our community, making sure we have food for those that need it.
</li>
<li>Furthering our mission to spread free public education to support all people in needs with education, outreach efforts, and hosting.
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<li>Supporting our community and the people around us in times of crisis.
</li>
</ul>
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<div><strong>The more money we raise, the more good we can do for others.</strong> Every dollar raised over our goal gives us more power to deliver on our projects to help our community. Drawing on our combined experience and proven results, we will continue to do what we can to have the most immediate impact and long-term good. <strong>All of our projects will continue to be completely, ideologically free and as widely available as possible.</strong>
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<div><br />
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<div><strong>What are our plans? Here are some examples of what your generosity can accomplish.</strong>
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<div><strong>$1</strong> - Every dollar helps cover the costs (and time) necessary to publish, print, and distribute our newest pamphlets on subjects like Making Apologies, The Elements of Trust, Determining Your Values, and a Consent Self-Checklist.
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<div>Other projects in planning include a series of small games designed to teach all ages emotional regulation skills, a Live Action Roleplaying Game for affecting positive change in the real world, and a program to help teens connect to make age-appropriate friends at queer events. These things are more than possible with our existing skill sets and have little to no material costs, <strong>all we need is the stability and security to see them through.</strong>
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<div><strong>$160</strong> - The cost of one day off of work; I get to contribute to making community events and projects a reality for one more day.
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<div><strong>$1000</strong> - A year’s supply of food to cook healthy, delicious meals for our growing community.
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<div><strong>$3,406</strong> - A one-day, free-to-the-public convention at Austin Central Library with an art show and panels focused on building community.
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<div><strong>$8,320</strong> - The cost of one day off of work <em>every week for a year</em> to dedicate to our activism.
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<div><strong>$16,565</strong> - A fuel-efficient van to transport ourselves, our community, and our equipment to events (with AC!)
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<div><strong>$41,600</strong> - The cost to devote an <strong><em>entire year</em></strong> off of work to public education and community building (Full-time activism.)
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<div><strong>$41,800</strong> - A food truck to provide free and “pay what you can” meals to Austin residents (Truck only. Inspired by <a href="https://www.serenitystar.org/san-antonio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Comfort Cafe</a> in San Antonio.)
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<div><strong>FAQs</strong>
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<ul>
<li>Why don’t you get a second job?
</li>
</ul>
<div>I am not capable of working more than ~40 hours a week for a meaningful amount of time. The energy I put into activism and my community nourishes my spirit and keeps me motivated enough to work a full time job.
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<ul>
<li>Why don’t you do a side gig?
</li>
</ul>
<div>We have put our art and writing online for sale, but the internet is not friendly to creators. Today creative work, our specialty, is valued at an all time, unsustainable low.
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<ul>
<li>Why don’t you get a loan?
</li>
</ul>
<div>Living with suicidal ideation really does a number on your credit, and neither of us come from an affluent background. We do not have outstanding debt, but we do not have the money for loan repayment either.
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<ul>
<li>Will you spend the money on drugs/alcohol?
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<div>We do not do drugs. I drink socially, and Faolan does not drink. All money raised will be spent on rent, necessities, and community aid.
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<ul>
<li>How much have you already raised for Real Talk Fur All?
</li>
</ul>
<div>To date, we have received $904.25 in donations during events, and approximately $1,000 from generous members of the community.
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<div><br />
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<ul>
<li>How much have you spent on Real Talk Fur All?
</li>
</ul>
<div>We prioritize making the greatest impact possible with the lowest overhead costs. We host out of our home, get ingredients for our meals from our local food bank, and spend approximately $50 or less of our own on food and drink per dinner (~1,000/yr.) We have spent $511.30 on paper, ink, and toner, and a one-time cost of 308.17 for our printers. ($1819.47 altogether, not including costs associated with events and distribution)
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<div><br />
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<ul>
<li>Who did the art on your page?
</li>
</ul>
<div>Faolan drew them. He's very sweet, and he works very hard.
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<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/103731787_1779741400566427_r.jpg" width="100%" />

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Grant Kastel

Matthew Harris

Help Po and Faolan Save Their Home

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