UPDATE IN "The Goal" SECTION!
Picture this: a place where feeling safe comes naturally, where your identity and personhood are truly valued, and where your skills can genuinely make a difference, helping others and sparking inspiration. That's the kind of place Ireland is for us, and we're reaching out for your help to make it happen by mid-September.
The Basics
We are raising funds for our urgent relocation from the United States to Ireland. This move is critical for our safety, well-being, and to allow us to contribute our unique professional skills as a transitioning neurodiversity-affirming therapist and a queer digital artist to a more inclusive society.
Who We Are
My partner, a licensed therapist specializing in neurodiverse and LGBTQ+ communities, and I, a professional creator and digital marketer, have spent years building our careers. Yet, despite our accomplishments, the current climate in the U.S. has made it increasingly unsafe and unsustainable for us to thrive. As queer and neurodiverse individuals, we face legislative policies and societal pressures that threaten our fundamental safety and ability to build a family without fear. Ireland offers the social safety nets, DEI-supportive culture, employment security, and healthcare safety we desperately seek. This isn't just a move; it's a pursuit of a life where we can truly belong, contribute our skills to a community that needs them, and raise a child in an environment free from fear and discrimination. We are ready to bring our expertise in mental health, digital innovation, and the arts to Ireland, but the immediate financial burden of international relocation is immense.
The Goal
Our goal is to raise $25,000 by mid-September. This will cover essential costs including flights, initial accommodation deposits, shipping our belongings, mandatory private health insurance for the first year, and a crucial buffer for initial living expenses as we secure employment and professional recognition in Ireland.
Every dollar you contribute will be meticulously allocated to ensure a smooth and safe transition:
- $1,290: Visa & Permit Fees (CSEP application fee + VisaHQ processing).
- $3,268: Flights for two people and one pet from NC to Dublin.
- $1,613: Shipping 5-10 large boxes of personal belongings.
- $4,300: Initial Accommodation (deposit + first month's rent for a commuter town home/apartment).
- $3,485: Mandatory Private Health Insurance for two people for one year (Day-to-day plan).
- $8,600: Three-month buffer for initial living expenses (food, transport, utilities, etc.).
- $548: Professional Recognition Fees for therapist (CORU application, IACP accreditation).
- $1,896: Contingency Fund for unforeseen expenses.
Also, we've made the decision based on current legislation and events concerning Trans people that for every dollar donated, we'll give a quarter of it DIRECTLY to The Trevor Project. If we're going to leave, we still want to help support others doing so.
With three years as a therapist specializing in neurodiversity and LGBTQ+ mental health, and my twenty-plus years as a professional creator in the arts and a digital marketing expert, we bring a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to community well-being. Our professional backgrounds are not just careers; they are extensions of our identities and our desire to foster inclusive and supportive environments. We are dedicated professionals ready to contribute meaningfully to Ireland's vibrant society.
How You Can Help
Your support, no matter how small, will directly impact our ability to build a safe and fulfilling life in Ireland and bring our much-needed skills to a new community. Please consider donating today, and if you're unable to contribute financially, sharing our story with your network would mean the world to us. Help us make this vital move a reality by mid-September!
