Help Cat move out of Monterey
Donation protected
Hello! Those of you who've been following me on Facebook already know my story, but for those who don't, here's my situation in a nutshell:
1) I used to be a freelance writer of LGBT fiction. Around the end of 2015, I suffered a nervous breakdown and was unable to continue writing. Due to continued depression and an array of physical ailments (a chronic skin condition, bilateral arthritis in my knees and lower back), I haven't written a word since my last novel was published in October 2015.
2) I've been looking for a full time job for a year and a half, with no success. In that time, I've had two short term jobs, the first a month-long temp position writing and editing training materials for a local insurance company, and three months as an accounting assistant for a local bookkeeping service.
I was let go from the bookkeeping job because, as my boss put it, "You're just hanging around until something better comes along." This, despite the fact that I was completely candid with her from the beginning about seeking full time work. (I worked 10-15 hours a week for her, on average.)
I've applied for food stamps and unemployment. I'm fairly sure I'll be approved for the former, not at all sure about the latter. (I don't trust my ex-boss to tell the truth about how and why she fired me.)
I need to be brutally honest here - I am at the end of my rope. Despite scouring Craigslist, Indeed, LinkedIn, etc., every single day and applying for every single job I could even remotely be qualified for, I am no closer to finding employment now than I was a year and a half ago.
And it's not like I don't have any skills. My experience in accounting and office management goes back to 1991. I do get interviews, but they never go anywhere. Potential employers seem interested once they see my resume, but after they meet me, it's crickets. I can't help but think they're turned off by my age (I'm 57) and obvious physical problems. My arthritis doesn't affect my ability to do most office work (the only accommodation I need is a chair with arms), but the employers I've interviewed with thus far apparently couldn't see past my slight limp.
I hate to beg, but at this point, I don't see an alternative. Even if I get unemployment, it won't cover my rent, or put gas in my car to go to interviews.
Any help you can give will earn my undying gratitude.
Thanks for listening. :)
1) I used to be a freelance writer of LGBT fiction. Around the end of 2015, I suffered a nervous breakdown and was unable to continue writing. Due to continued depression and an array of physical ailments (a chronic skin condition, bilateral arthritis in my knees and lower back), I haven't written a word since my last novel was published in October 2015.
2) I've been looking for a full time job for a year and a half, with no success. In that time, I've had two short term jobs, the first a month-long temp position writing and editing training materials for a local insurance company, and three months as an accounting assistant for a local bookkeeping service.
I was let go from the bookkeeping job because, as my boss put it, "You're just hanging around until something better comes along." This, despite the fact that I was completely candid with her from the beginning about seeking full time work. (I worked 10-15 hours a week for her, on average.)
I've applied for food stamps and unemployment. I'm fairly sure I'll be approved for the former, not at all sure about the latter. (I don't trust my ex-boss to tell the truth about how and why she fired me.)
I need to be brutally honest here - I am at the end of my rope. Despite scouring Craigslist, Indeed, LinkedIn, etc., every single day and applying for every single job I could even remotely be qualified for, I am no closer to finding employment now than I was a year and a half ago.
And it's not like I don't have any skills. My experience in accounting and office management goes back to 1991. I do get interviews, but they never go anywhere. Potential employers seem interested once they see my resume, but after they meet me, it's crickets. I can't help but think they're turned off by my age (I'm 57) and obvious physical problems. My arthritis doesn't affect my ability to do most office work (the only accommodation I need is a chair with arms), but the employers I've interviewed with thus far apparently couldn't see past my slight limp.
I hate to beg, but at this point, I don't see an alternative. Even if I get unemployment, it won't cover my rent, or put gas in my car to go to interviews.
Any help you can give will earn my undying gratitude.
Thanks for listening. :)
Organiser
Cat Grant
Organiser
Monterey, CA
