Hi! My name is Andrea but most people call me Dre. I’m a bartender, musician, writer, and hustler in Chicago. For years I had a thriving freelance business with steady clients and occasional odd jobs. Last year unregulated AI took over almost every creative industry i worked in - which included business and creative writing, editing, sound design, transcription, composition, voice narration, copywriting, social media management, and design. I could no longer compete with apps, sites, and software that would do the work for free or at least immediately. I lost every single one of my clients within months. I’m still continuously trying to find work in these fields to this day…

Thankfully I had bartending to fall back on but it is not a stable world to work. You never know how much you’ll make and it’s always a rollercoaster. I do love bartending, but since this huge life shift, I have not been able to make ends meet.

My gas was shut off all winter - meaning I had no heat or hot water and no stove or oven to cook. This was due to an unpaid balance that I simply could not pay off in time before it was disconnected. I was able to get it turned back on in May but was just told yesterday that it will be shut off again on Monday if I can’t pay the bill in full.

I do not ever ask for help and honestly, even the mere thought of having to ask anyone for money is breaking me. If I had family or friends with money, I wouldn’t be here. If I had credit cards or any savings or any chance of getting a loan, I wouldn’t be here. If People’s Gas had given me more time to figure it out or work more or sell belongings, I would not be here begging.

This is truly my last resort. Today is Thursday, July 31st. I was told I have until Monday morning (8/4) to pay this amount. My one shot before they shut it off. If I’m unable to get that money by then, People’s Gas will disconnect my service and not reconnect until I pay my entire bill in full.

If anyone can help a girl out, I will be forever grateful. I pride myself on being very independent and have always managed to get myself out of the trench, all on my own, so it’s incredibly hard for me to admit hardship or ask for assistance. I’ve never done this before and never thought I’d have to - but here we are! Haha!

I can’t just take things without giving back in return so if you do decide to donate, I hope you’ll let me send you a personal poem, a fun letter, a little homemade work of art, or a prank postcard to anyone of your choice (I can explain that last one if you ask haha) in return! Or I could create a special cocktail in your honor! Your choice!

Anywho, thank you for reading and I hope your week is silly and beautiful and groovy and bright!

xo

Your old neighborhood bartender, dre