My name is Ariel Dejesus, and I’m reaching out for support for myself and my significant other, Dominique Quinones. After working in retail for 11 years, I was wrongfully terminated from my job due to workplace discrimination and retaliation for standing up for my rights as a neurodivergent individual. Dominique also lost their job, and now only one of us is receiving unemployment. Unfortunately, we don’t qualify for social services because we are over the maximum requirements, which has made our situation even more difficult. This sudden loss of income, combined with our landlord’s refusal to accept a short payment arrangement, led to our eviction after seven years in our home. We’ve now been living in a hotel for the past nine months, doing our best to stay afloat while waiting for unemployment benefits and a 401k hardship withdrawal that won’t arrive until July.

Living in a hotel has been incredibly challenging for both of us. The weekly costs are high, and it’s difficult to find stability or peace of mind. Every week, we worry about having enough to cover the hotel, food, transportation, medication, and storage for our belongings as we search for new jobs and a permanent place to live. Despite these obstacles, Dominique and I are determined to rebuild our lives and find stable housing. Your support will help us cover immediate hotel expenses, job search costs, transportation, medication, and storage, giving us the breathing room we need to get back on our feet.

We’re grateful for any help during this difficult time. Every contribution brings us closer to stability and a fresh start. Thank you for reading our story and considering a donation to help us move forward.