Levi Bradley is a member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. He is in a heartbreaking situation and at risk of being evicted in less than 48 hours. He has spent over a year trying desperately to apply for rental assistance to no avail.

His last hope was his General Welfare payment from the tribe. Unfortunately, due to a last minute change in the program, his General Welfare was over 7 weeks late. When it finally arrived, his bank froze his account on suspicion of fraud.

Levi had no idea that he had been banking with a predatory lender.

Now he is fighting to get his rightful money back from his account while he is left with nothing except pain and the reality of having to live on the street.

Levi grew up in Oregon in very difficult circumstances. His childhood was shaped by abuse, neglect, and a lack of opportunities- the story of so many Indigenous people who are separated from their tribes and the vital services they provide.

Levi managed to escape his home life by entering into Job Corps. However, due to a learning disability, he found himself often unemployed or unable to meet the expectations of employers that found it easier to fire him than to accommodate him. He wants to work. He wants to thrive. He wants to be able to provide himself the basic needs of life and not need to ask for or rely on anyone or anything for it. One one of the many factors that contributes to the fact that Native Americans have the highest poverty rate in the entire United States.

Levi embraced his love of art. It has been one of the few bright lights in his life. He is a talented photographer and even won the Potlatch grant for his work capturing images of local tribal members. He continues to submit his art to cultural projects whenever he can, but financial hardship makes it impossible for him to travel to any events or seek out opportunities that are too far for him.

Right now, though, the most urgent issue is housing. Levi has pleaded with his landlord already for more time, but there is only so much grace someone can give.

Levi now faces eviction immediately.

His biggest flaw is not that he urgently needs help, but that he carries pain with him so heavy that he does not feel worthy of asking for help. I am here to help him ask for funds to keep him housed, or at the very worst- give him a hopeful chance of finding somewhere safe that he can go.

Housing is a human right. Housing is healthcare. Housing should not be such a life altering circumstance that can be the difference between safe basic living and fearing for your entire livelihood.