Hi, my name is Clifton. I’m 59 years old, and right now my car is the only home I have.

I sleep in the front seat, surrounded by everything I own, usually getting only about three hours of sleep before I have to wake up and start the day again. Before work, I drive to the Punawai Rest Stop and spend around two hours there. I wait in line to wash and dry my work clothes and to take a shower so I can show up clean and presentable. Having a place like that is the only way I can keep some dignity while living in my car.

I work at FedEx Express from around 3 p.m. until about 2 a.m. Most nights, I leave work and go straight to 24 Hour Fitness to shower and clean up again so I can stay on top of my hygiene for my job and my doctor visits. After that, I drive to where I usually park to try to sleep—but there are cars coming and going all night, people talking, doors slamming. It’s loud almost all the time, and it’s very hard to get any real rest.

Both of my parents have passed away. I don’t have a partner, children, or close family to lean on. I’m very introverted and have a hard time socializing, so I don’t really have a big circle of friends either. No holidays, no group dinners—most days it’s just me and my turtle, Snoopy .

For 23 years, my closest companion was another turtle named Peanut. He was with me through almost everything in my adult life. Peanut passed away on May 31st, 2025, and losing him was one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through. It felt like losing my best friend. Since then, caring for Snoopy has given me a new sense of responsibility and comfort. Making sure he has clean water, food, and a safe place to be is a big part of what keeps me going.

I stay away from drugs, alcohol, and bad influences. I go to parks to exercise, I work hard at my job despite the lack of sleep, and I’m doing my best to manage a painful skin condition with regular treatments from a dermatologist. To feel a little less alone, I started sharing my daily life on TikTok as “the homeless guy with a turtle.” People from Hawaii and all over have grown to love Snoopy, and that small community gives me a sense of connection and purpose. Right now, I’m just trying to stay alive and survive day to day.

All of this—working long hours, getting to rest stops and showers, doing laundry, making it to my doctor, caring for Snoopy, and even filming my daily life—is only possible because I have a car.

Recently, my car stopped running.

It won’t start at all now. Because of this, I’ve already missed an important bank appointment and a doctor’s visit. I’ve had to spend what little money I have on rides just to reach my dermatologist. A coworker and mobile mechanics believe it may be a serious engine problem. The car needs to be towed to a repair shop and properly diagnosed, but I simply don’t have the funds. I have about $200 to last me until next Wednesday, and without a working car I’m at real risk of losing my job, my medical care, and the only safe place I have to sleep with Snoopy.

I’m raising funds to:

• Tow my car to a repair shop

• Pay for the diagnostics and necessary repairs

• Cover a temporary rental car or rides (Uber, etc.) so I can still get to work and medical appointments while mine is in the shop

• Help with basic living costs like food and transportation while I’m trying to get back on my feet and simply survive

I’m not asking for anything extra—just the chance to keep my job, protect my health, and have a secure place to sleep with my turtle by my side.

If you’re able to help, any amount truly makes a difference. Even sharing this page helps more than you know. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for any kindness you can show to me and Snoopy.