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Sometimes life throws us more than we can handle, even if we're normally one of those people who “have it all together.” This is where Melinda currently finds herself and needs our help! 100% of the funds will go to Melinda. Here is a note from her:
“I am not proud of the position I am in and own these decisions were my own. I’m beyond humbled and devastated by my circumstances as I've always been the helper/fixer/giver for others. I only blame myself, but I truly can't find my way out of this alone. I've wiped out all my savings paying for Spencer's medical expenses, a loan to a previous housemate, and dealing with current housemates refusing to pay their share of rent. I don't know what else to do but lean on my community of friends. Any amount you can contribute to help us get caught up on our expenses so Cole and I can finally move, start fresh, and truly heal from the past 13 months is appreciated.”
Here are the details:
For over a year now, Melinda has been faced with a few big, heartbreaking challenges that have left her in a desperate financial position. Mostly it has been her big heart and desire to care for others that have led her to this place. It began with the ongoing medical care of her then 13-year-old Jack-O-Beagle, Spencer. In January 2019, his medical issues became much more serious after experiencing a major seizure. Melinda found it necessary to temporarily step back from her work immediately following this incident to care for him. Once she returned to her regular schedule, and although Spencer was improving daily, it was still necessary to provide him with intense care, which was draining both emotionally and financially.
To help pay for Spencer's care, Melinda chose to sublet a room in her home to a retired teacher. This went great until April 2019, when the subtenant began exhibiting irrational and unbalanced behavior. Melinda did all she could to utilize her connections in the community to find help for her subtenant, and even found her a part-time job to pay for the extra bills. At the time, Melinda assisted in covering full rent under the agreement that the subtenant would pay back the loan once she caught up on other expenses. Unfortunately, in August 2019, the subtenant's behavior became threatening and Melinda was forced to find her long-term care. Now that the state is her subtenant’s guardian, Melinda will never see the loan repaid.
To attempt to repair the financial damage, Melinda took a second job in retail in September 2019 that quickly turned from part-time to full-time as a mass exodus of previous employees left their positions. The income from the job helped, but it became a strain on Melinda's business, social life, and well being. She found herself serving as an accidental caregiver to her previous subtenant, caring for her dogs, managing a business, and working a second job.
This is where the story takes an even worse turn.
On January 2, 2020, Spencer passed away. This has been, of course, beyond devastating for Melinda. During that same week, her most recent subtenants from November stopped paying rent and utilities. With her ongoing grief over Spencer and the continued financial strains, Melinda decided to step away from Fort Collins and head to Texas to spend some time with her parents and regroup. However, the subtenants are refusing to leave. They will not pay their share and they will not leave. Until everyone is out of the house, Melinda is responsible for all rent and utilities. She is struggling to pay amounts that are supposed to be shared by multiple people. She has begun the eviction process and reached out to local legal resources, but it can take 20-60 days to finalize and the subtenants can legally continue to live there without paying.
With threatening and disruptive behavior from the current subtenants, Melinda has found a safe space for her and Cole to stay temporarily in the area (until the eviction process is completed) but needs help with paying for a temporary storage space for her belongings ($480 for 3 months), rent and utilities on the current house ($5833.34 through March), and getting her and Cole to Texas ($540).
Melinda is a giver – we all know that. And it so difficult to reach out for help. Let's give her some of the love back that she spreads around so willingly! Every little bit helps her and Cole get out of this toxic space she finds herself in.
“I am not proud of the position I am in and own these decisions were my own. I’m beyond humbled and devastated by my circumstances as I've always been the helper/fixer/giver for others. I only blame myself, but I truly can't find my way out of this alone. I've wiped out all my savings paying for Spencer's medical expenses, a loan to a previous housemate, and dealing with current housemates refusing to pay their share of rent. I don't know what else to do but lean on my community of friends. Any amount you can contribute to help us get caught up on our expenses so Cole and I can finally move, start fresh, and truly heal from the past 13 months is appreciated.”
Here are the details:
For over a year now, Melinda has been faced with a few big, heartbreaking challenges that have left her in a desperate financial position. Mostly it has been her big heart and desire to care for others that have led her to this place. It began with the ongoing medical care of her then 13-year-old Jack-O-Beagle, Spencer. In January 2019, his medical issues became much more serious after experiencing a major seizure. Melinda found it necessary to temporarily step back from her work immediately following this incident to care for him. Once she returned to her regular schedule, and although Spencer was improving daily, it was still necessary to provide him with intense care, which was draining both emotionally and financially.
To help pay for Spencer's care, Melinda chose to sublet a room in her home to a retired teacher. This went great until April 2019, when the subtenant began exhibiting irrational and unbalanced behavior. Melinda did all she could to utilize her connections in the community to find help for her subtenant, and even found her a part-time job to pay for the extra bills. At the time, Melinda assisted in covering full rent under the agreement that the subtenant would pay back the loan once she caught up on other expenses. Unfortunately, in August 2019, the subtenant's behavior became threatening and Melinda was forced to find her long-term care. Now that the state is her subtenant’s guardian, Melinda will never see the loan repaid.
To attempt to repair the financial damage, Melinda took a second job in retail in September 2019 that quickly turned from part-time to full-time as a mass exodus of previous employees left their positions. The income from the job helped, but it became a strain on Melinda's business, social life, and well being. She found herself serving as an accidental caregiver to her previous subtenant, caring for her dogs, managing a business, and working a second job.
This is where the story takes an even worse turn.
On January 2, 2020, Spencer passed away. This has been, of course, beyond devastating for Melinda. During that same week, her most recent subtenants from November stopped paying rent and utilities. With her ongoing grief over Spencer and the continued financial strains, Melinda decided to step away from Fort Collins and head to Texas to spend some time with her parents and regroup. However, the subtenants are refusing to leave. They will not pay their share and they will not leave. Until everyone is out of the house, Melinda is responsible for all rent and utilities. She is struggling to pay amounts that are supposed to be shared by multiple people. She has begun the eviction process and reached out to local legal resources, but it can take 20-60 days to finalize and the subtenants can legally continue to live there without paying.
With threatening and disruptive behavior from the current subtenants, Melinda has found a safe space for her and Cole to stay temporarily in the area (until the eviction process is completed) but needs help with paying for a temporary storage space for her belongings ($480 for 3 months), rent and utilities on the current house ($5833.34 through March), and getting her and Cole to Texas ($540).
Melinda is a giver – we all know that. And it so difficult to reach out for help. Let's give her some of the love back that she spreads around so willingly! Every little bit helps her and Cole get out of this toxic space she finds herself in.