Hi there. My name is Joe Nickell, I'm a longtime resident of Missoula MT. I am setting up this GoFundMe on behalf of my friend Lexi and her daughter.  They are in great need of a vehicle, which (right now) may also sometimes be their only reliable shelter for awhile. Please consider giving what you can for this urgent need.

LEXI'S STORY

Lexi is a young mother who recently moved with her four-year-old daughter to Missoula to escape an abusive relationship and other unhealthy family circumstances in their hometown. Lexi is a clean-living, very self-reliant and proactive person who is working hard to get herself established with work and a home in a new community where she knows basically no-one. Every day I am impressed by what she's doing and able to accomplish, considering her circumstances.

Despite her daily work toward her goals, Lexi does not have a vehicle, nor a stable place to live. Currently, Missoula's rental occupancy rate is 99% according to the Missoula Organization of Realtors. This makes it incredibly difficult for a person with no credit or rental history to get an apartment or home, and Lexi is facing extreme housing insecurity as a result, relying on temporary opportunities and having to move often (Missoula's family shelter won't open until May, and it's early April when I'm setting up this fundraiser).

Meantime, many of the jobs available in town are not practically accessible using the bus system—especially when Lexi also has to get her daughter to daycare and back.

I ask you to imagine the circumstances...

no backup funds or credit cards...
no friends to stay with even for a few days...
having to navigate a new town with a toddler in tow (and sometimes all of your worldly possessions as well)...
trying to be a reliable employee...
trying to establish and provide stability when the waiting list for a low-income apartment is often months...

...all while not knowing, sometimes, where you and your child will be able to sleep tonight until the sun has almost set...

WHY A CAR?

We are working hard every day on the housing part of this equation. If you haven't ever applied for low-income housing...well, you can hardly imagine the challenges. In the meantime, the most important key to Lexi's ability to work, provide for her daughter and be as mobile as her situation demands...is a vehicle.

Nobody should have to live in a car. But there have been nights when Lexi and her daughter have come very close to having...literally....no place to sleep other than outdoors. By the grace of the good people of Missoula, so far that hasn't happened. On the day when I'm setting up this fundraiser, it looked like tonight would be the first night. We got a reprieve thanks for a generous individual. But a few days from now...we will once again be looking for solutions. In the worst case, this vehicle may also be the only safe shelter that Lexi and her daughter have. It's...better than nothing.

Missoula can be an incredibly hard place to get your footing. A running, safe car would be such a helpful and empowering gift for Lexi on her path to independence. There are nonprofits and churches around here that are helping with the financial backing on housing, just as soon as something opens up. But there aren't such funds available for a vehicle. I'm asking the people of my community and beyond to pitch in and make this happen.

OUR GOAL & OUR ASK

We are aiming to raise $2,800 toward a vehicle. We can work with less or more, but that seems like a reasonable goal given the market for a reliable used vehicle with good tires, plus the costs of insurance, title/registration and any initial repairs that are needed.

First and foremost I would ask that you consider donating. Any amount is helpful.

If you can't donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser with your friends and social networks.

Thank you for your kindness and consideration. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Joe Nickell
Howell St.
Missoula MT