Hello Friends,

I am coming to you today in need of help. I've struggled really hard against asking. It's really difficult for me to do, and I wrestle with feelings of worthiness when I see SO many of you struggling too. Regardless of any of that, I'm just at the point where without help, I'm not going to make it this month, and I need help covering rent.

The last time I had a check in with my online family it was around my birthday. I had lost my job, and many of my personal relationships followed. Shortly after, my Dad passed away. Life hit the reset button hard on me.

I decided to take this as an opportunity to try something new. Since then, I've been working to build something of my own. I've been building a way to support myself with my skill sets and my passions.

I've made huge progress pursuing work in live sound, music production, and music performance. I've put out a new album, and produced and promoted a show to release it. I've joined a band and we have been playing some of the best shows of my life together. I've been working on growing my game business and have added a second regular location to my Kiko's Room game nights.

All of these are amazing advances, and the momentum is continuing. I've been working hard on business plans to expand Kiko Room. My aim is to start offering the ability to book Kiko's Room for private parties, and to start offering mobile LAN parties and tournaments as a service. I'm also working on starting my own salsa brand!

Unfortunately I've run into a wall. My car has broken down again. For anyone who knows me, this is an unfortunately familiar story. My Jetta has been a challenge to upkeep since literally the moment I drove it off the lot. I don't have the cash to get the exact problem diagnosed at this time, but it's a serious issue that I don't have the means to fix at this time.

I've had generous offers from friends and colleagues to help me with transportation for events and gigs that I end up booking, so in the short term I'm covered. In the long term, I'm looking uphill at a mountain I don't have the time or means to climb myself.

I'm really proud of the progress I've made, and I'm really hopeful that more progress is on the way. In the production and live sounds spaces especially, I can tell I'm making good on the opportunities I've been given. I've been doing music on my own my whole life, and I'm finding that experience is paying off. I'm confident that with time and practice I have the skillset to succeed professionally, and I think the people I'm working with would agree.

As happy as I am to have made that progress, I also have had to face a hard truth this month. The work I've put in to this point, and the jobs I've accumulated don't support my financial needs yet. Things are on their way, but I'm not there yet.

I need help covering rent this month.

I've made enough to cover everything else my family needs this month, but we're coming up short on rent. Anything we're able to raise will go straight towards rent and bills. I will use the time your help buys me to continue to work towards booking private parties and finding other ways of increasing my own monthly income.

I completely understand where everyone is at right now. I know I'm not the only one struggling. If donating isn't possible for you right now, could you take a moment to share this?

I love you friends. Thank you for spending time taking this in, and for having me on your hearts and minds. You're on mine too.