Update as of April 20th, 2026: Our situation has grown more dire. Come May 31st we will be on the street. We are in need of funds for a vehicle to live from while we await an affordable housing opportunity. Raising enough for registration and insurance would be incredibly extra helpful as well if possible. Anything and everything is appreciated. In the event we still cannot secure a vehicle, your donations will go directly to our immediate basic needs as we navigate the streets. All shelters were either full and/or we did not qualify for them in this state last we checked. (Not pregnant, not veterans, no substance abuse issues, not fleeing a domestic abuse situation, not legally recognized as disabled, not elderly, and not minors.)

As for vehicle opportunities, there are some vans nearby that we will be trying to check out soon. One is $4,500 (1999 Chevy Express van). It has a crack in the windshield, some visible rust, but is solar configured and would come with a very bare bones camper style setup (with a small fridge/freezer), bed, storage, roof vent/fan, tiny sink (we assume pump operated), and new tires. This would offer us a van to live from a little more comfortably than others. We would not have to drain our battery/run the van as frequently with solar setup for charging, refrigeration, etc. (See pics below in the update section.)

Another van option is $3,250 (2011 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van 4D XLT) and was a work van. We would have to remove interior metal shelving, clean up the interior, and such as well as arrange a modest bedroom setup in the back. It would be much tighter than the Express van, but fuel economy would be much better. We would also then ideally like to get some kind of portable power station and mini cooler/fridge. Both vans we would also like to setup some type of cooling system we could run over night off of our power system so we would not have to run the van to keep cool. We realize that realistically these are luxury items. However we are aware of our body’s limitations and sensitivities with temperatures. For us it is a critical piece to making a vehicle a more livable situation for us since this is looking to be a more medium-length term solution. Climate control is also important for our medicine as well as they cannot be kept in high or very low temps. And as we approach summer, it is of course a big concern for us.

We still have not seen either of these vehicles in person and they could sell before we ever pull enough funds together for either of them. They are just current van opportunities at the top of our list. We continue to look for more affordable options as well.

Thanks again so much for reading, donating, and sharing ❤️

Original call for help:

We are suffering with Long Covid, a disabling event which caused us to lose our apartment and vehicle in New Jersey in November 2024. We were lucky enough to have an out of state friend temporarily house us. Being displaced, we are still covered by Medicaid in New Jersey, which requires us to travel back and forth to Jersey for doctor’s appointments in an attempt to get the medical attention we so often need. My girlfriend is unable to work, and I am only able to hold down a part time job, which allows us to purchase groceries and pay our phone bill. Thanks to our friend, we have a roof over our head. I am walking to work, which really takes a toll on my body. When I arrive home, I am unable to do much else. I simply try to recover enough in order to work the next day.

   My girlfriend has recently been suffering with heart related issues, and is in need of more testing, which we haven't been able to schedule as quickly as we should, (or at all) due to both financial reasons and transportation issues. A used vehicle would allow us to be able to get to these critical appointments, as well as allowing me to get to my job without risking a physical breakdown, which would endanger my job.

   We were infected with Covid in 2020, and our lives haven’t been the same since. We were active business owners/managers. Since our original infection, our health has steadily declined. The virus attacks the whole system. Respiratory issues, debilitating fatigue, cognitive impairments, gastrointestinal issues, painful joint and muscle aches, hearing/vision changes, circulation issues, and much more.

   My girlfriend has seen the worst of it, most recently dealing with heart related issues. A sudden and extreme rise in blood pressure, with readings upwards of 200/150. Heart palpitations and bouts of chest pain, dizziness, and fainting. She is bedbound. She has had an echocardiogram, a renal study, and most recently wore a heart monitor. All of which have come back “normal”. Yet the symptoms and pain persist.

  Doctors recommend she participate in a sleep study, which hopefully will provide some answers. She has also been referred to see both a neurologist as well as a cognitive therapist (typically reserved for people who have suffered strokes or traumatic brain injuries). In an effort to keep this fairly short, I wont go into every detail, but I just wanted to give you an overall picture of the challenges Long Covid presents, and the difficulty in getting answers. It’s a very scary experience for the both of us. 

   In the meantime, we are searching for financial assistance here as temporary/possibly permanent residents. We continue the search for more assistance in New Jersey, as well as the search for affordable permanent housing. Many of you may know how difficult it is to navigate social services, especially when you are struggling with a disability. Help can be incredibly difficult to find and access.

  We did post on GoFundMe last year. With the funds we managed to raise, (as well as sell our belongings for), we were able to survive for the 3 months it took to find my current job. It fed us, bought me my one work outfit, and allowed us to repurchase necessities we had to leave behind after the eviction. It paid for us to get to doctor appointments, and even an Uber to the hospital and then back. However, we were unable to secure a car.

   If we are able to raise enough money here, it would be immensely helpful to be able to cover registration as well as a few months insurance if at all possible. A vehicle that we could manage to live from would be an added bonus in case it ever comes to that. But it’s by no means necessary.

 

   We kindly ask for your assistance, if you are able. We realize the difficult times that everyone is going through, but even a share would help tremendously. Thank you for taking the time to read this.