Hello everyone, and thanks for taking the time to visit this campaign. My name is Joe Gallina, and I've had a nightmarish past year and a half. My aging mother had a number of health scares in quick succession, and it was clear living alone was no longer a viable choice for her. My partner and I made the decision to leave our lives in Orlando, FL behind and move in to support her. Long story short--if we're friends on Facebook, then you know the whole story--I lost my job due to company closure, lost my recently paid-off car due to catastrophic engine failure that I no longer had the means to pay for, and I have been wholly unable to gain any traction in the job market at securing a new start. Ultimately, our presence was no longer needed, and my partner and I decided to restart our lives in Orlando anew. My partner was offered their old job back, and a place to stay (solo) very quickly--thank goodness--but I am at the end of my rope.

The past year after being laid off (June 2025) has not been kind. I have exhausted my savings, filled up all my credit cards, ran dry on the amount of money I did make doing Uber Eats deliveries before my car died, and am no presently facing missing my first ever credit card payment. I am having difficult garnering opportunities for sustainable employment, which is new for me (I have a strong job history, incredible job performance, and fierce loyalty towards my employers). I am exploring multiple industries, roles, and job search help to facilitate and expedite my search, but... still nothing. I don't seem to be able to make a new job/career happen for me, and need more time to succeed.

My strongest plan forward is to get back on the road and restart my immediate and solid earning potential with Uber Eats. I was making a consistent amount during the limited months that I had been afforded (before my car died), so I know it works, and WILL work for me. I just need a car. I have to prioritize the limited funds I have to secure food, and will have to continue relying upon the kindness of friends and family for housing, but... without any job prospects or ways to make money in the short term, I'm an extremely poor investment in my current state. I have been unable to secure any type of loan from financial institutions due to the long period of unemployment, even with decades of strong credit performance and never missing any payments. I do not like asking for charity or "an investment in my future", but I have exhausted all other possibilities, and am turning to blind faith that maybe there's enough people out there that can sympathize, and throw something my way.

I'm seeking a few grand, and am starting this campaign with a goal that I think is a lofty goal, and setting the bar at $3,000. I've found numerous options within a reasonable driving distance (100 miles) at or below that price. Obviously I'm going to have to do a lot of research to find the smartest buy in the best condition, because I don't know that I can risk buying a "fixer upper" and immediately putting that investment in the shop for repairs after the purchase price... but I'll cross that bridge when I get there. I just need more time. Time I can spend earning a decent wage through a proven method that I lost access to when my car died. More time to find a new "regular" job. More time to find a new, permanent address where my partner and I can live together again. And of course, more time to secure a debt consolidation / personal loan to stop the hemorrhaging I caused by having to lean on my credit cards to support myself, which of course, will come with employment history.

Garnering enough kindness through donations is the only long shot here. Finding a car isn't a long shot. Earning enough to sustain myself short- or long-term is not a gamble for me, for I was doing it easily earlier this year before my car died. I know this is the strongest opportunity I have to give me more time to find regular work, pay my debts, and of course, feed and house myself. Thanks so much for reading, and for any generosity you deem fit to toss into my digital hat. This is a very sobering, humbling experience, but... I'm not out yet. If I can still try, I must. So, I am.

Sincerely,

Joe Gallina