Fighting to Stay on My Feet — One Step at a Time

Hey everyone,

This photo pretty much says it all — me, asleep on my mom’s living room floor, my fiancée snapping a photo and reminding me it’s time to get up and “figure things out.”

I recently lost my job, and right now I’m in that awkward, uncertain phase between “trying to stay hopeful” and “just trying to stay afloat.” It’s only Day 2 of being unemployed, but it already feels like I’ve been running uphill for miles.

I’m incredibly grateful for my fiancée, who didn’t have to stick around for this chapter but did anyway. ❤️

And for my kids, who remind me every day that quitting is not an option. They’re watching how I handle this, and I want them to see their dad fight to rebuild — the right way.

In a past life, I was a two-time felon. I’ve made my share of mistakes. But I’ve worked hard for years to build a better life — one that’s honest, stable, and grounded in doing the right thing.

The truth is, that old life still whispers to me sometimes — because I know how easy it would be to solve my problems the wrong way. But I refuse to go backward. That’s not who I am anymore.

Right now, my car is my home. And I’m doing everything I can to keep it that way — because losing it would mean losing my last bit of security and mobility.

Unemployment benefits could take up to three weeks to arrive, and I don’t have enough gas money to get to job interviews or even somewhere safe to sleep. I’ve tried panhandling. Some days I stood on a corner for hours and made less than $5. As humbling as that was, I’m still grateful for every single dollar and every person who stopped to help.

That’s why I’m here — swallowing my pride and asking for help the right way.

What I’m asking for:

Gas money to get to interviews, appointments, and safe places to sleep

Temporary help with food and basic necessities

Funds to cover a few weeks of safety while I wait for unemployment to start

(And if anyone local to San Luis Obispo has a laptop I can borrow — mine’s in a storage unit 2.5 hours away — that would be a huge help, too.)

Every donation, share, or kind word matters.

Every little bit helps me stay on track, stay safe, and stay focused on rebuilding my life — one honest step at a time.

This isn’t forever.

It’s just the hard part before things turn around.

Thank you for reading, for sharing, and for believing that people can change — and that second chances are worth investing in. ❤️

With gratitude,

Brent