Hi, I’m Audrey.
Over the past year, I went through an extended period of unemployment despite actively applying, interviewing, and doing everything I could to return to stable work. During that time, this fundraiser helped me keep housing, pay essential bills, and get through one of the hardest stretches of my life.
Since creating this fundraiser, things have improved, but I am still rebuilding.
I now have a part-time research position at the University of Minnesota, which thankfully covers most of my core monthly expenses. However, this position is funded by a grant scheduled to end in October, so it is not a long-term solution, and I am continuing my search for stable, full-time employment.
I occasionally still do Grubhub deliveries to make ends meet when my car is operational, since my income currently leaves very little room for unexpected expenses.
While I am incredibly grateful to be working again, the financial impact of long-term unemployment does not disappear overnight.
Over the past year:
- I relied on savings, credit, and help from loved ones to cover rent, food, and basic necessities.
- I now owe approximately $10,000 to friends and family who helped me stay afloat.
- My rent increases annually and will rise in April from $970 to about $1,000 per month.
- I have submitted over 1,000 job applications while continuing to actively interview and search for full-time work.
I am no longer in immediate crisis, but I am still living paycheck to paycheck while trying to recover financially, manage debt accumulated during unemployment, and handle unexpected expenses like car repairs that directly impact my ability to earn supplemental income.
Contributions help me:
- Stay current on essential bills
- Pay back friends and family who supported me
- Maintain reliable transportation
- Bridge the gap while I work toward stable, long-term employment
If donating is not possible, sharing this fundraiser or supporting through referral programs I occasionally post about also helps tremendously.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me, encouraged me, or followed along during this process. Your kindness genuinely carried me through an incredibly difficult year.
Audrey
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I track every application I submit. I recently crossed 1,000 applications. The “Job Offer” reflected here was a short-lived position that ended after two weeks.
Organizer
