Bio

* 32yo trans man living in NJ with my brother and dog

* Autistic and have health disabilities but can’t qualify for SSI

* Graduated in 2018 with a MA in forensic linguistics, did a dual degree program from BA in linguistics

* Fun facts: love video games, languages, cooking/baking

Current Situation

Requesting health accommodations at my new job led to low performance review and offensive accusations. My manager put me on an improvement plan, accused me of adapting “too slow” to the role, and refused to agree that any of my work was good enough, even when I could prove that I passed requirements. She fired me anyway. There was no feedback from client-side managers, no peer review process, no appeal option, no option to refute the improvement plan or decision. Which has left me jobless since July.

My apartment complex refused to give us a payment plan for March’s rent, wouldn’t let us move out early unless we could pay 2 extra months’ worth of rent, and intentionally delayed the eviction filing to make sure they could also charge us for April. We still don’t have a court date, but they’re charging us nearly $6k. Family and friends helped us get our property into storage and set up housing arrangements because we had expected to be evicted before April 1st. We used our tax returns to cover most of the expenses, but neither situation is free.

* Since then I have applied to at least 100 jobs per month, only had 5 first-round interviews and 0 offers.

* Have done dozens of resume updates including versions from paid professionals which are not helping

* Gotten 6+ certifications to improve/expand technical skills, and currently working on one for project management

* Been stretching out 3 month supply of asthma meds and testosterone because I can’t pay out of pocket

* Used a year’s worth of savings to cover bills since unemployment wasn’t enough and benefits were denied

* Unemployment already ran out Jan 5th

* Rent is $2500, utilities $120, internet $80, car payment & insurance $600 (Not including food, credit cards, or over the counter meds)

*Losing entire security deposit and incur extra fees if we break the lease early.

* Family and friends don’t have any space for us aside from couches. 

Goal and Reason to Donate

Min goal is $10k which will cover eviction fees and other expenses

* Could not pay February’s rent and now is in the eviction process.  

* Plan to apply for housing assistance lottery (opens Jan. 13th, no guarantee of funding or timeline for funding) and reapply for benefits (got denied as of February)

* Private student loan of $20k in repayment since 2019 from undergrad is going into default at $500/month, had to stop paying it to cover other bills.

* Anything in excess of the goal will be put toward March’s expenses

Extra Help:

* Been a part of an online roommate finding group called Live Rent Free since college. Almost every month, I’ve entered the contest to win a month worth of rent money and never won. Anyone who can’t donate money can still help by boosting our link and entering the contest. 1 friend sign up gives us 2 extra entries toward our chances. * https://www.spareroom.com/liverentfree/100637368/10105

CashApp: Cashtag is $drjpresto