Help Bri Overcome Chronic Pain and Financial Struggles

My name is Bri, (they/them) I'm a non-binary musician, artist, and educator. I also go by Xochi or Boi Xochi in my art. I have fallen on hard times and need dire help. It took a while for me to work up the courage to do this, so I appreciate you taking the time to read this. Below is a breakdown of the costs I am seeking support for and a backstory to provide you with a vulnerable context for my situation.

A Timeline

2020

In May of 2020, I started experiencing nerve and muscle pain in my arms and neck that has not gone away, it has affected every job I have had since, and has made it difficult to function. I have undergone extensive occupational and physical therapy, but it is now a chronic condition I cope with daily.

2021-22

December 2021, I left my spouse and an abusive environment that has left emotional scars and diagnosed PTSD to this day. I filed for divorce in January of 2022. While I was able to start again from scratch with some support from family and friends, it remains a difficult financial hole I have been unable to get out of.

2023

I have struggled to find consistent employment since I left my full-time teaching job in the summer of 2023. The hostile work environment, combined with the loss of my companion dog, Violet, left me devastated and trying my best to freelance with my many skills in music, teaching, and music business consulting while battling crippling depression, grief, and chronic pain.

2024

In February 2024, my car (2006 Honda Element) broke down coming home from a gig about 50 miles from my home, and I haven't had the funds to fix it; the repair also becomes more expensive the longer I put it off. I have been getting by on borrowing cars, public transit, and favors from bandmates (of which I’m grateful), but as a gigging musician, I have relied on my car to take me to my gigs up and down the West Coast, playing and singing at churches, venues, concerts, festivals, and more from Chula Vista to Portland, Oregon.

Despite taking all precautions possible, including masking everywhere and working with mutual aid organizations to provide clean air at my shows, I caught COVID for the third time in mid-August during the ongoing summer surge. This came after a period of freelance drought, and I was looking forward to the work I had lined up for the coming weeks. I lost 4 gigs when I caught COVID this time around. I am trying my best to rest as much as possible to reduce my risk of Long COVID and the cancellation of additional work, but the debt and complete depletion of my savings have me worried and at risk.

My Ask

I am asking my community and others who see this for urgent help.

I have broken down all the bills I am trying to pay so I can do more than survive (currently I am hanging on by a thread). I am asking for $10,100 to get me back on my feet (outstanding bills outlined below) and focus on the healing that I've so desperately needed the past 4 years, which will include seeking intensive therapy, physical therapy, and specialists to help find answers to my persistent chronic health issues.

I enjoy curating shows and making COVID-safer shows for my community, collaborating on music projects, and bringing queer musicians together through inclusive events, but I need help from to fill my empty cup before I can start pouring back into the community safely.

$600 for utilities

$3037 for back rent

$2465 rent (2 months)

$300 tax payment (most urgently needed)

$600 student loan payment

$200 insurance

$1000 estimated car repair (as I begin to receive funds, I will share exact costs)

$700 credit payment

$1200 food, medical supplies, incidentals, emergency

I know giving money may be difficult for some, so I’ve identified the following methods of community care that can help bring these costs down. Please let me know if you have/have any connections to the following (or ideas for additional areas of support):

-a mechanic or are a mechanic yourself who can look at my car or acquire a battery at a lower price

-a WFH job

-grants

-debt management tools

Every bit helps. And because I am a music entrepreneur and sell music and merch, please watch this campaign for the T-shirts I am offering on my "pretty boi" line as another way to support me. I am also opening my vocal and piano virtual studio to 9 students for the fall.

Sharing this campaign also helps tremendously, and supporting my music as well. Using my song in your social media posts, putting my song in your playlists, following my channels; this will all help get the word out so I can get on my feet as well! I am @boixochi on all platforms. Will have a separate post in the campaign for this as well.

I greatly appreciate you taking the time to read my story.

Much love,

Bri