Hey everybody! If you are reading this then I'm sure you know who I am, but just in case you don't I will introduce myself, and give a short summary of my story and what I am asking for!

My name is Joshua. The past two years of my life have been life changing and defining. I have spent 17 years of my life in addiction. Throughout that time I experienced the loss of my little brother Jordan, was unable to see my children anymore, lost my career and eventually my home. The past 6-7 years have been a cycle of in and out of jail, homelessness, struggle, and to top it all off my mental health suffered severely, making all the more difficult to get help for myself, most of my time was spent in psychosis and simply trying to survive day to day.

Well, last year (2024) I was sentenced to a year in jail, this was after having many short stents in jail. It was hard, and when I got out I was at my bottom. I couldn't take the constant loss, being tortured by my mind, most days I simply sat and contemplated suicide as it seemed like ultimate freedom and peace at last. Even through all of this, I still fell back in to what I knew, which was addiction. Very quickly I descended further, reaching a depth of despair I wish to never see again.

Somehow, with the last strand of hope in my body, hope that maybe I can pull myself out of these depths and find happiness and contentedness, and the biggest hope of all, that I could become worthy of seeing my children someday again.

I called Visions of the Cross, and kept calling, every single day until they accepted me. I went there on October 4th, 2024 at 4 PM. I didn't leave for 10 months. From that point on it has been a journey of self discovery, figuring out who I want to be, actually taking care of myself and my mental health.

I have found hope once again, I have determination, goals, motivation and drive. I have met my life partner who has inspired me even more everyday to be a good and mindful person. And together we have dreams for our future and are taking strides toward them all the time.

Also during this time I was fortunate enough to learn of the Department of Rehabilitation. Through them I was able to attend CDL class A school, I graduated and passed my test, and am officially class A licensed and employable now! And that feels amazing.

So this is where the fundraiser, and request for help comes in. I have officially been offered a job, and as of 11/10/25 I start this job. My partner and I have been in great need of transportation for quite some time,but have managed to get by. But now, the need is too great. My job is quite far from where we live, and my hours will be outside of public transportation hours, as well as areas served.

So I am asking if any of you can help me reach my goal, so I can purchase a vehicle and be able to reliably make it to work everyday! Absolutely anything helps. I usually have a hard time asking for help like this, but at this point I am simply out of options, and I can not tell you how much it would mean to me and my partner, no matter the amount you can give we would forever be so grateful!

Thank you all for taking the time to read this, so many people have been supportive and encouraging through this journey of recovery and it means the world to me.

I love you all, and remember how important community is, we always have each other, for each other is all we truly have.