TL;DR (too long; didn't read):

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I'm not asking you to give me money so I don't have to work. I am asking you to give me your money so I can live a "normal" life. I'm using my friend Hallie's definition of normal which is: "I never have enough money for any of the things I need for survival... there are gaps that I always need help filling..." and when I don't have to ask for anything??? That's when I feel "normal."

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My ultimate goal is $15-20k. This is part one.

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Hey, ya'll. I need your help in attaining financial stability. I've endured and continue to endure abuses via the family court system with my ex-husband Amerikkka and generally existing in a world that is not built for me as a Black queer femme.

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How I am helping myself:

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-I am doing some wonderfully healing work with fiber arts and creating garments and things for my own extraordinary body. This work has bloomed into a business venture where I aim to be able to sew semi-bespoke garments for other people. You can purchase something from me at www.WhatSamMade.com .

-I was awarded a $2,500 grant through the Arts Foundation (with a nod to SAGA*) to continue my work.

-I host monthly paid workshops for people to learn to sew.

-I offer tutoring for all academic subjects for all grade levels (my area of specialization is English + language arts).

-I attend talk therapy sessions and have continued this practice for the last 5 years... because of trauma.

-I work with a local non profit that is the queer place to be in Tucson. This organization (or shall I call it a Social Club?) focuses arts and justice with a lens that centers BIPOC and marginalized people with monthly events like a poetry night that I host and other events such as drag shows, queer karaoke, open mic nights and more.

-I continually uplift mutual aid requests by sharing and donating (when possible).

-I have been focused on resting as an act of self-care. Allowing me and the babies who share my life the space to sleep, nap, eat, be joyful and thrive.

-I am teaching myself the art of handsewing and hand embroidery as I know it to be a beautiful way for me to honor my ancestors and to come into and own my own power.

I've come to realize there's no such thing as "bad words."

-I took part in a Writing Rage workshop taught by Sista Docta Alexis Pauline Gumbs.

-I'm redoing my postpartum and ab0rtion doula coursework so I can serve in community in a fuller capacity.

-I'm taking part in a CSH, from a very trustworthy Black herbalist down South which focuses on using herbs and other mediums as a pathway to wholeness and healing.

-I'm reading a bedtime story to my kids because they asked me and I said, "yes." And I will continue doing this one small miracle as long as they allow me. <3

-I am sharing my writing and wisdom through a Patreon account (www.Patreon.com/WhatSamMade) and for free online.

-I am asking for help when I really don't feel worthy of asking as I know how many people are in need all over the fucking world.

-I'm donating a hip pack that I will sew for Alé and @abortionshowers to raise money to fund them for a year.

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MY ASK: I would like to ask for help right now to cover transportation costs and “half rent” for 6 months so that I can continue these other efforts I non-exhaustively listed above.

Transportation : $652 a month

Half of Rent: $600 a month

Total for 6 months $7,512 (or $1,252 a month)

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2019-2021 has been a doozy for everyone I know. It has been a doozy for me. I’m on UNPAID leave from my career as a teacher after being targeted and harassed by the administrators at the rural high school where I teach. I experience body policing, body shaming, my admins asked me to questions about why I don’t wear a bra and other actions. Parents and students have formally complained about my having a pride flag on the wall and other empowered messaging… this list could go on forever and ever.  

I am on a 12 week leave of absence from my career as a teacher due to the toll the harassment and targeting has caused. I’m in my third year with this school district which means I can be fired upon my return at the end of November. 

Taking the leave means my job is secure AND it also means that I haven’t had income for two months. And because shit keeps happening, this time off hasn’t been restful at all. 

And, to add insult to injury, I was in a car accident and I’ll need to have a safe vehicle to drive my kids to and from school and to deliver for Instacart, Shipt and Uber (which is how I’m able to buy food for me and my kids). 

Side note: If I’m unable to raised the amount, I will use the money to have someone clean my apartment. I’m just all-around hella struggling.