I've been an independent massage therapist in Campbell, California for the past 9+ years. Our county was one of the first in the nation to shut down businesses due to COVID-19 concerns back in March. I was lucky enough to benefit from emergency unemployment during that time, which paid  household bills for myself and my two sons.

I returned to work with many safety modifications in October. While business hasn't been the same, I had been regaining my footing until our county re-introduced Shelter In Place orders effective Sunday December 6th.  Under the new orders, I am only allowed to see clients with medical referrals, which is a fraction of my usual clientele.

I am the primary provider for myself and my two sons, who are struggling with distance learning from home. Massage therapy was an ideal job during this time. It allowed me to work evening and weekends and be at home to regulate for most of the school day. I have also been attending classes online to have more future career options. 

I currently owe several thousand dollars in back rent for my massage office space from the first shut down that I had just started to pay off. I will likely continue to incur more debt than income over the next month. I will use the money raised here primarily to pay down this business debt and if theres excess, to continue to support our household by paying rent and utilities for January. Its very humbling to ask for help on such a public forum. I have started to do this a couple of times, but put it off,  thinking that more loan options would become available, or perhaps some rent would be forgiven. Unfortunately, that just hasn't been the case. I can't express to you how much this assistance will mean to me;  nor the amount of stress it will relieve from my plate.  I am grateful for any amount you can contribute. "Little drops of water make a mighty ocean"

Venmo: @Kaitlyn-Murphy-37