I'm raising money to help my dear friend Chris purchase a used car. Here is his story-

My name is Chris. I'm a trans and disabled community member of North Minneapolis, and I'm reaching out to ask for help purchasing a reliable car. My 22 year old vehicle has become too expensive and outdated to repair, and I do not have any family to fall back on.

For years, I've been trapped in a cycle: I buy a cheap car that fails, then have to scrape together money for another cheap car. That cycle keeps me stuck, and I'm trying to raise $10,000-$15,000 for a reliable vehicle that will break it.

I'm almost 43 and really just want to have as independent and stable a life as possible. My chronic pain, significant fatigue, and mental health challenges make that harder to achieve—but I'm actively working on it.

Unfortunately there are currently no programs in Hennepin county to help disabled low income people purchase cars without already having some active employment income. Additionally, I do not currently use a walker or a wheelchair so my insurance has determined that I should ride the bus to my appointments. With my chronic pain issues, walking to and riding the bus for several hours a day isn't realistic - I am not able to reliably attend my appointments.

For years I have been working in therapy toward healing from significant experiences of childhood trauma, attending physical therapy, and maintaining my sobriety. This is progress I want to maintain and keep working on. I have held many volunteer positions over the years as well as jobs in the helping professions. I also put myself through university in my mid-twenties. What I’m really trying to say is (like the majority of people) I am actively trying to show up for my community and make a better life for myself.

My wish in gaining a decently working car is to go back to working as a part-time substitute teacher this year and be able to get to the myriad health appointments I have each week. A reliable car would accomplish a lot to improve the quality of my life. It would help me access employment and healthcare that are otherwise out of reach. Transportation would also help me be significantly less isolated, and attend recovery meetings.

My birthday is approaching, and I am asking with quite a bit of humility (and hope) if you would be willing to donate to this fundraiser as a kind of birthday gift.

If you find you have the willingness and ability to help me, I would be deeply grateful. Many of you have already contributed so much to my life with your love, kindness and generosity. It is of course not expected that you would help me toward this goal. If you do though, please know (as always) I will pay it forward when and in ways I can.

Chris