- M
Hello All,
I am Gavin Grimm and you may or may not recognize my name as the client in the landmark ACLU lawsuit, “Gavin Grimm vs GCPS.” This lawsuit’s outcome guaranteed trans and gender expansive students’ right to an affirming public school environment in Virginia’s 4th congressional district.
I unexpectedly met Donald and Sayquanna at a motel in May 2021 and as we talked with one another, I learned they were currently unhoused. I have since been helping them gain access to various community support resources.
Since our chance encounter in May, there has been tremendous good news for Donald and Sayquanna! Despite frequently jumping from location to location, together we managed to secure them (very temporary) housing. We have also worked to get them food and living essentials to help with their transition to stable housing. They are currently right on the verge of truly gaining a financial foothold, but still face obstacles as they work to establish themselves. It may come as a surprise, but exiting homelessness is a very expensive process. Donald and Sayquanna need to gather government documents for ID, complete the driver’s licensing process, gain access to educational resources, a vehicle, clothing, food, and healthcare among many other essential things. When you live with financial insecurity, one bad day can completely topple all the hard work you have done in your fight to overcome poverty. They need a cushion, as well as a bit of monetary help to start their lives together in long-overdue and much deserved permanent stability.
I would like to share a bit more about my friends, Donald and Sayquanna. They have both been unhoused since they were teenagers. More often than not, they’ve moved from shelter to shelter, or been forced to sleep rough on the streets. After Hurricane Katrina’s devastation, Donald spent two years of his life repairing damaged homes in New Orleans without pay. Donald is now 53 and Sayquanna, 36. Nobody deserves to be unhoused, so I am calling on the public to help them secure housing and create a stable life that affords them their dignity. The two of them have been together for nearly a decade and want nothing more than to jointly have something that’s theirs.
I am raising this money to:
-Enable them to gain access to stable, reliable housing. Donald is employed, but when you have very little, it can be incredibly difficult to save money for the first and last month’s rent, while maintaining your other financial obligations. Some help at the beginning of their transition will allow them to build a financial cushion and breathe freely knowing they have enough to secure stable accommodations.
-Provide healthy, nutritious food for them. Nearly the entirety of their lives has been spent with food insecurity. These funds will help them access reliable and quality food options within the community.
-Facilitate the purchase of a vehicle. Unfortunately, without reliable transportation they face a variety of obstacles in the daily goings-on many of us take for granted. For example, a trip to the grocery store may take all day and result in spoiled food items upon returning home.
-Enable them to furnish and decorate their home, as well as make necessary repairs and maintenance.
Please, share the word and donate if you are able. Donald and Sayquanna have lived their whole lives in the face of innumerable obstacles, yet their love and faith have kept them fighting, together. Everyone deserves a safe, stable home. It is long past due for Donald and Sayquanna. Please consider donating any amount you are able and thank you sincerely for reading.
-Gavin Grimm
(Edited by Buff @RvaBlu on Twitter)
I am Gavin Grimm and you may or may not recognize my name as the client in the landmark ACLU lawsuit, “Gavin Grimm vs GCPS.” This lawsuit’s outcome guaranteed trans and gender expansive students’ right to an affirming public school environment in Virginia’s 4th congressional district.
I unexpectedly met Donald and Sayquanna at a motel in May 2021 and as we talked with one another, I learned they were currently unhoused. I have since been helping them gain access to various community support resources.
Since our chance encounter in May, there has been tremendous good news for Donald and Sayquanna! Despite frequently jumping from location to location, together we managed to secure them (very temporary) housing. We have also worked to get them food and living essentials to help with their transition to stable housing. They are currently right on the verge of truly gaining a financial foothold, but still face obstacles as they work to establish themselves. It may come as a surprise, but exiting homelessness is a very expensive process. Donald and Sayquanna need to gather government documents for ID, complete the driver’s licensing process, gain access to educational resources, a vehicle, clothing, food, and healthcare among many other essential things. When you live with financial insecurity, one bad day can completely topple all the hard work you have done in your fight to overcome poverty. They need a cushion, as well as a bit of monetary help to start their lives together in long-overdue and much deserved permanent stability.
I would like to share a bit more about my friends, Donald and Sayquanna. They have both been unhoused since they were teenagers. More often than not, they’ve moved from shelter to shelter, or been forced to sleep rough on the streets. After Hurricane Katrina’s devastation, Donald spent two years of his life repairing damaged homes in New Orleans without pay. Donald is now 53 and Sayquanna, 36. Nobody deserves to be unhoused, so I am calling on the public to help them secure housing and create a stable life that affords them their dignity. The two of them have been together for nearly a decade and want nothing more than to jointly have something that’s theirs.
I am raising this money to:
-Enable them to gain access to stable, reliable housing. Donald is employed, but when you have very little, it can be incredibly difficult to save money for the first and last month’s rent, while maintaining your other financial obligations. Some help at the beginning of their transition will allow them to build a financial cushion and breathe freely knowing they have enough to secure stable accommodations.
-Provide healthy, nutritious food for them. Nearly the entirety of their lives has been spent with food insecurity. These funds will help them access reliable and quality food options within the community.
-Facilitate the purchase of a vehicle. Unfortunately, without reliable transportation they face a variety of obstacles in the daily goings-on many of us take for granted. For example, a trip to the grocery store may take all day and result in spoiled food items upon returning home.
-Enable them to furnish and decorate their home, as well as make necessary repairs and maintenance.
Please, share the word and donate if you are able. Donald and Sayquanna have lived their whole lives in the face of innumerable obstacles, yet their love and faith have kept them fighting, together. Everyone deserves a safe, stable home. It is long past due for Donald and Sayquanna. Please consider donating any amount you are able and thank you sincerely for reading.
-Gavin Grimm
(Edited by Buff @RvaBlu on Twitter)