After more than 20 years working in public education, I never imagined I would find myself creating a GoFundMe.

This summer, I unexpectedly found myself without a job. Since then, finding my next position has essentially become my full-time job. I’ve been applying broadly to education, public-sector, and other roles where I can put my experience to work. I’ve been fortunate to have several interviews and to remain in consideration for a number of positions, but I have not yet secured my next role.

When my employment ended, I had enough set aside to get us through roughly two months while I searched for my next position. I hoped, and genuinely expected, that would be enough time. Unfortunately, the job search has taken longer than I anticipated, and that financial cushion is now running out.

The hard part is that even when you’re applying and interviewing constantly, finding the next job can take time. Rent, car payments, utilities, student loans, groceries, insurance, and everything else do not.

I’ve done everything I can to stretch what I have. I’m receiving unemployment, I’ve cut expenses, applied for available assistance, and continue to apply and interview constantly. But I’m reaching the point where I simply don’t have enough financial runway left to continue the search without some help.

My essential monthly obligations are roughly $7,000. I’m setting this goal at $15,000 in the hope of giving us about two months of breathing room while I continue searching for and interviewing for my next position.

This isn’t about replacing my income indefinitely or paying off all my debts. It’s a bridge — enough time to cover housing, utilities, transportation, groceries, insurance, minimum debt obligations, and other basic expenses while I continue working toward securing my next job.

My biggest priority is maintaining as much stability as possible for my daughter. I’m hoping to keep us here in California, where her school, friends, family, and life are, rather than being forced into a major move simply because I ran out of time financially before finding my next position.

I’ll be honest: asking for help like this is extremely uncomfortable for me. I’ve spent most of my adult life working, supporting my family, and being the person who figures things out. My pride made me resist doing this for quite a while.

But at this point, a little more time could make an enormous difference.

If you’re able to contribute, I am incredibly grateful. If you can’t, sharing this with others would mean just as much.

And to everyone who has already sent me job postings, made introductions, checked in on me, encouraged me after interviews, or simply reminded me that I’m going to get through this: thank you.

I’m working very hard to get to the other side of this. I just need a little help getting there.