My name is Sonja, and I'm ready to move into a new apartment and begin a new chapter with my fur babies, Jax and Ava. I was unhoused for almost 7 years, living on the streets in DTLA. Back in 2022 I received a Section 8 emergency housing voucher and moved into an apartment in South Central LA. At the same time I was asked to become part of a UCLA co-hort where UCLA students participated in a class alongside people from the community who had lived experience. I grabbed the first apartment that allowed me to move quickly out of Project Roomkey at the LA Grand and into a stable new home. Shortly after, I was offered a job at Ground Game LA, where I currently work as a community organizer helping unhoused people throughout LA, and fighting for housing justice in Westlake and Venice.

After three years of working to help other people secure housing, stay in their homes, fight their terrible landlords, and driving all over LA to do it, my own apartment has gone from a home to a health hazard. There are roaches, black mold, and most recently, a rat on the second floor! As we all know, RENT is too damn high, and landlords like mine are squeezing everything they can out of good, hardworking people while letting the conditions of our homes deteriorate. I have a housing voucher, yet my rent is going up $550. That ain’t right!

It’s time for me to move into a place where I can feel comfortable, live in a healthy environment, and enjoy having family and friends come to visit! I am trying to raise funds to help with my deposit and other move in costs. I'm looking forward to starting a new chapter, but I can't do it without your help. I've been fighting for everyone else, but now I'm doing it for myself again, to find a new home that's suited to my needs and can help me sustain the work I love to do.

If you are able to help, please donate to this GoFundMe. Any amount you donate will be unbelievably appreciated!

Me Jax and Ava thank you in advance