Donate to Secure a Home for Steph

Hi! I'm Steph.

I am a member of the trans community and the mutual aid community here in Los Angeles. Being able to spend time supporting local communities and causes in the area has been incredibly valuable for me. I'm also incredibly grateful for the reciprocity that I have received since I first moved to California last summer.

Since my 27th birthday at the beginning of this year I have been couch surfing in LA. I have been incredibly appreciative of the generosity of my friends and community during this time of need, and I have learned a lot about accepting the support of others.

Since losing my job last year, I have struggled to find enough consistent work to afford rent and the costs associated with moving into a house or apartment. And as generous as my hosts have been, I cannot stay on their couches forever. They will eventually be moving out of their homes.

I'm currently fundraising to afford an old school bus that I can convert into an RV to make my full-time home. It would be a great way for me to cut down on some current costs and get a permanent roof over my head. As a plus, I would also avoid paying money to a landlord long-term. I get a lot of security from being mobile, and living with my dog is non-negotiable for me. Buying a bus could be a huge opportunity for me.

Fortunately, school busses are frequently auctioned and many of them go for very reasonable prices. My goal is to fund-raise $3000 for purchasing a bus, as well as $2000 for necessary maintenance and the drive to LA. I'm heading back to NC at the end of April to clear out my storage unit there (save $185/mo and sell a lot of the stuff). I hope to register a bus in NC where it would be easier and double as my U-hall for the trip home. It will be no small project. I certainly have my work cut out for me.

I'm selling a lot of my belongings--including my car Gertrude--to help fund this endeavor, and I could really use your support in making this dream a reality. With your help I could go from couch-surfer to home owner!