Donation protected
Hey, you! Have you enjoyed any of the following communities - Refresh Phx, AIGA, Gangplank, LaidOffCamp, Ignite Phoenix, AZ Burners, Arizona WordPress Community, Phoenix WordCamp, AZ Nonprofit EXPO or AMA Phoenix? If so, it is due in some part to April Holle.
April has dedicated her time here in Phoenix to the tech and design community and has always done it with a sense of optimism and cheerfulness. Now, April needs our help - you and me, because the thing we all think about late at night is happening to her.
Last summer, April lost her job. Her roommate left, and April was left paying the whole rent with no income. Despite looking high and low and being an SEO and data analytics master, she was looking at the same time as so many other recently laid-off workers, and hasn’t found anything yet.
So last week, the unthinkable happened: April and her tiny canines, Eddie and Annie, lost their housing. April is not a statistic, she is one of us. You know her. She’s likely helped you or someone you know, and unlike the massive homelessness problem, this is a problem YOU are capable of being part of the solution.
How you can help April:
1. Annie and Eddie, her two dachshunds, need a place to stay for a week until they get into a foster situation. They are sweet, 14 yr old dogs who will come with food, a crate and toys.
2. A pet-friendly room to rent, ideally under $850/month.
3. Obviously, a job. April is a WordPress, SEO and Google Analytics superstar as well as a great web strategist, particularly with data, and has worked for some major players. If you have gig work, great! If you have longer-term opportunities, even better! Check out April’s LinkedIn profile for more detail
4. Money. Unfortunately, almost everything - storage fees, food, gas, dog food, and most importantly, a security deposit and rent are all going to require money. The good news is that if you can’t help with any of the above, you can probably (hopefully) give a little. And every little bit counts. Here’s what we’re hoping for:
- $750 will mean April can kennel her dogs so she can stay with friends, pay for gas to get to job interviews, and eat.
- $3,500 will help get April into a new place and cover security and the first month’s rent and moving.
- $5,000 means that her first few months of rent are covered, she can pay for gas, food, keep her companions with her, and get on her feet.
Let’s hear from April:
“This journey has been challenging, especially with my two beloved dogs by my side, but I remain determined to turn my life around. I am reaching out for support to help me get back on my feet and start anew. I am committed to making positive changes and with your generosity, I believe it is possible. I am confident that I can make a fresh start and continue to be an active member of the Phoenix community. Thank you for considering contributing to my journey towards a brighter future.”
Who We Are:
April trusted a small group of friends in the community with this life-altering news, and we've been working together to try and help her get back on her feet. Hearing that a colleague is experiencing houselessness is alarming because it reminds us that it could easily happen to any of us through circumstances outside our control. Watching April tackle all the challenges people who are houseless experience (shame, guilt, hopelessness, isolation and being overwhelmed) with grace and optimism has been an inspiration. This community is capable of almost anything, and taking care of just one person is realistic. We're excited for everyone to remind April how valuable her contribution has been.
- Carol Stambaugh, Melissa Balkon, Shaina Rozen, Ita Udo-Ema, & Amanda Blum
Organizer and beneficiary
Carol Stambaugh
Organizer
Phoenix, AZ
April Holle
Beneficiary