
Help Ethan Fight Homelessness
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I've thought long and hard about what I could say that could possibly reclaim even an ounce of dignity, but a need to survive has overwritten that desire, and so I come to today, making this page as a last resort. My friends and family, please forgive me for it having to come to this. Please let me explain the situation.
At the end of November, I will be unable to live in my current room share situation and am forced to find a new place to stay. In Japan, even the cheapest rooms have very high upfront costs when moving in (2-3 months rent as a down payment, security deposit, cleaning deposit, etc). Even though I am working 2 jobs, there is no possible way for me to make enough money to pay for the move.
When I first made the decision to move to Tokyo, I planned and saved a considerable amount of money that I thought would keep me comfortable for a month without a job while I searched for a new one. Unfortunately, a series of unlucky events unfolded that I never could have planned for, resulting in a loss of a lot of my money. Coupling this with the unexpected difficulty of finding a new job, after 3 months of no paychecks, I am struggling to survive to say the least.
Question 1: Ethan, if you are working 2 jobs, how could you possibly not have enough money? Just work harder!
Answer: Because I recently moved to Tokyo, I had to find a new job, which took much longer than I had hoped (3 months total of no paychecks), even when applying on every possible application. My new job's payment for new employees is incredibly low, because it is based on the students you attract, and in the beginning you aren't well known. To give you an estimate, I worked the maximum amount of time slots open this month and will make less than 600$USD. Next month, I have requested to work 40+ hours a week, but still have a low number of students, so my payment will be less than 900$USD for a month. My second job is more flexible in schedule, and I used it to cover living costs when I had openings in my schedule this month, but starting in November, I will be working so many hours at my first job, trying to build my student pool and reputation as a teacher so that I get bookings. Thus my availability for my second job will go down, as there aren't enough times in the day or days in the week. (Even so I will be trying to work 7 days a week 9+hours a day).
Question 2: That sounds terrible! Why don't you get a different job?
Answer: Simply put, if I could, I would! I am currently applying for any and all full time teaching positions in the greater Tokyo area in hopes of being able to start soon and receive a stable salary. So far I have had no luck, but I will keep applying! Until then, I cannot quit my current job and just have to keep chugging along doing my best to survive until my next paycheck.
Question 3: Is there any way you could save on normal expenses? What have you not been doing that you could have avoided this? My current diet consists of curry rice, peanut butter sandwiches, and pasta. I have sold my brand new keyboard I purchased earlier this year before I made the decision to move to Tokyo, and am now planning on selling my computer, my last item of value. I am on craigslist and other job posting websites every day searching for new jobs, gigs, and anything that could earn me some extra cash. In short, I am doing everything in my power to stay afloat, but at the moment, it isn't enough
And so, here I am, at the bottom of this pit that is too high for me to climb alone. I am asking with upmost humility for your help. I will be homeless on December 1st, so if anything could change before that, I pray that it can.
I came to Tokyo with high hopes and big dreams. My dreams are still high, and amazing progress is being made in my path to becoming a musician. I just want to live until that time comes. I am very close to becoming financially stable, I just need a little push. If you are unable to help financially, please pray for me! I appreciate your thoughts and prayers just as much.
At the end of November, I will be unable to live in my current room share situation and am forced to find a new place to stay. In Japan, even the cheapest rooms have very high upfront costs when moving in (2-3 months rent as a down payment, security deposit, cleaning deposit, etc). Even though I am working 2 jobs, there is no possible way for me to make enough money to pay for the move.
When I first made the decision to move to Tokyo, I planned and saved a considerable amount of money that I thought would keep me comfortable for a month without a job while I searched for a new one. Unfortunately, a series of unlucky events unfolded that I never could have planned for, resulting in a loss of a lot of my money. Coupling this with the unexpected difficulty of finding a new job, after 3 months of no paychecks, I am struggling to survive to say the least.
Question 1: Ethan, if you are working 2 jobs, how could you possibly not have enough money? Just work harder!
Answer: Because I recently moved to Tokyo, I had to find a new job, which took much longer than I had hoped (3 months total of no paychecks), even when applying on every possible application. My new job's payment for new employees is incredibly low, because it is based on the students you attract, and in the beginning you aren't well known. To give you an estimate, I worked the maximum amount of time slots open this month and will make less than 600$USD. Next month, I have requested to work 40+ hours a week, but still have a low number of students, so my payment will be less than 900$USD for a month. My second job is more flexible in schedule, and I used it to cover living costs when I had openings in my schedule this month, but starting in November, I will be working so many hours at my first job, trying to build my student pool and reputation as a teacher so that I get bookings. Thus my availability for my second job will go down, as there aren't enough times in the day or days in the week. (Even so I will be trying to work 7 days a week 9+hours a day).
Question 2: That sounds terrible! Why don't you get a different job?
Answer: Simply put, if I could, I would! I am currently applying for any and all full time teaching positions in the greater Tokyo area in hopes of being able to start soon and receive a stable salary. So far I have had no luck, but I will keep applying! Until then, I cannot quit my current job and just have to keep chugging along doing my best to survive until my next paycheck.
Question 3: Is there any way you could save on normal expenses? What have you not been doing that you could have avoided this? My current diet consists of curry rice, peanut butter sandwiches, and pasta. I have sold my brand new keyboard I purchased earlier this year before I made the decision to move to Tokyo, and am now planning on selling my computer, my last item of value. I am on craigslist and other job posting websites every day searching for new jobs, gigs, and anything that could earn me some extra cash. In short, I am doing everything in my power to stay afloat, but at the moment, it isn't enough
And so, here I am, at the bottom of this pit that is too high for me to climb alone. I am asking with upmost humility for your help. I will be homeless on December 1st, so if anything could change before that, I pray that it can.
I came to Tokyo with high hopes and big dreams. My dreams are still high, and amazing progress is being made in my path to becoming a musician. I just want to live until that time comes. I am very close to becoming financially stable, I just need a little push. If you are unable to help financially, please pray for me! I appreciate your thoughts and prayers just as much.
Organizer
Ethan Jock
Organizer
Maplewood, OH