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I never thought having my car break down in the middle of the Arizona desert would create such a life crisis for me, but that was before I was forced into becoming a nomad and started living in my car-a 2009 Subaru Forester. I have never had to pubically ask for any type of financial help, but as a 61-year-old woman living on a meager $900 per month disability stipend, I currently do not have the funds for the repairs. My car is my home, my transportation and the only safe haven for me and my beloved cat Hunter. I have started this campaign on the advice of friends to raise the $3000 needed to get my car/home back. Thank you for reading my story.
Approximately two months ago, I was evicted from my small apartment as the building was being sold. Unable to find a permanent place to live due to the high cost of living in the North Bay Area of California, Hunter and I were forced to move into my car. Determined to make the best of a bad situation, I headed to Ehrenburg, Arizona after being invited by Bob Wells to join a wonderful group of people living the nomad lifestyle. The change was traumatic for both Hunter and me, but we quickly adapted. During this time, I found out that I had several broken teeth that needed immediate medical attention and was referred to an oral surgeon. Yet, I knew my meager income would not allow me to have even part of the work done anytime soon, so I made what would be a fateful decision to spend what little savings I had accrued to pay for a passport so I could have the emergency dental work done in Mexico at 1/3 the cost of what the work would cost in the U.S.A.
The same day I mailed my documents to the State Department, I started having car trouble as I headed back to Ehrenburg from Parker, Arizona. As I "limped" into Ehrenburg where I was camped, I knew I was in serious trouble. The joy I felt at having completed all the steps necessary to obtain my passport had turned into trepidation and anxiety because I no longer had any savings to pay for an expensive repair job. Somehow, the dashboard sensors had failed to operate properly and I was informed that all the oil was gone from the engine and I had probably blown a rod/bearing or worse. The cost would run between $2000 and $3000 and with temperatures in the desert averaging 85 - 90 degrees, everybody around me was pulling out. My plan was to use the last of my cash to catch a bus or train home to Northern California to hopefully get the help I needed while leaving the car in Ehrenburg until I had money for the repairs. Little did I know things were about to get much worse.
For two long days, I tried everything I knew to obtain a bus or train ticket home but none of the public transportation options available would allow me to travel with my cat. I was beginning to think I was never going to get home. But finally a friend agreed to take us home if I paid for travel expenses but I had to leave my car behind as transporting it would cost a minimum of $650.
700 miles now separate me from my car and home. I am permanently disabled with a degenerative condition that prevents me from working to obtain the necessary funds. Hunter and I desperately need help to get our home back. The $3000 estimate includes costs for me to have the car towed to Parker, repaired and for me to drive to Parker to pick it up. We are temporarily staying with a generous friend, but need to be out as soon as possible. Thank you for reading this and if you are moved to donate, please know that any little bit helps.
In gratitude, Lauren & Hunter
Approximately two months ago, I was evicted from my small apartment as the building was being sold. Unable to find a permanent place to live due to the high cost of living in the North Bay Area of California, Hunter and I were forced to move into my car. Determined to make the best of a bad situation, I headed to Ehrenburg, Arizona after being invited by Bob Wells to join a wonderful group of people living the nomad lifestyle. The change was traumatic for both Hunter and me, but we quickly adapted. During this time, I found out that I had several broken teeth that needed immediate medical attention and was referred to an oral surgeon. Yet, I knew my meager income would not allow me to have even part of the work done anytime soon, so I made what would be a fateful decision to spend what little savings I had accrued to pay for a passport so I could have the emergency dental work done in Mexico at 1/3 the cost of what the work would cost in the U.S.A.
The same day I mailed my documents to the State Department, I started having car trouble as I headed back to Ehrenburg from Parker, Arizona. As I "limped" into Ehrenburg where I was camped, I knew I was in serious trouble. The joy I felt at having completed all the steps necessary to obtain my passport had turned into trepidation and anxiety because I no longer had any savings to pay for an expensive repair job. Somehow, the dashboard sensors had failed to operate properly and I was informed that all the oil was gone from the engine and I had probably blown a rod/bearing or worse. The cost would run between $2000 and $3000 and with temperatures in the desert averaging 85 - 90 degrees, everybody around me was pulling out. My plan was to use the last of my cash to catch a bus or train home to Northern California to hopefully get the help I needed while leaving the car in Ehrenburg until I had money for the repairs. Little did I know things were about to get much worse.
For two long days, I tried everything I knew to obtain a bus or train ticket home but none of the public transportation options available would allow me to travel with my cat. I was beginning to think I was never going to get home. But finally a friend agreed to take us home if I paid for travel expenses but I had to leave my car behind as transporting it would cost a minimum of $650.
700 miles now separate me from my car and home. I am permanently disabled with a degenerative condition that prevents me from working to obtain the necessary funds. Hunter and I desperately need help to get our home back. The $3000 estimate includes costs for me to have the car towed to Parker, repaired and for me to drive to Parker to pick it up. We are temporarily staying with a generous friend, but need to be out as soon as possible. Thank you for reading this and if you are moved to donate, please know that any little bit helps.
In gratitude, Lauren & Hunter