I just moved back from Phoenix, AZ after 10 long years, and thanks to the Back Bay Mission, I finally have a stable apartment. Living on disability means that after I pay for rent, electricity, food, hygiene, and a few small comforts, there’s nothing left. My apartment echoes because I have no furniture except a mattress, a Roku TV, and a small ice chest I found and cleaned up to use as a table. I could really use cooking pots, pans, dishes, glasses, and a dinner table so I could cook and maybe even entertain friends. Having these basics would make my place feel like a true home.

I also have a spare bedroom that I dream of turning into an office. I live with mental illness, and having a dedicated space would help me escape and focus. I want to go back to school and need a laptop and equipment to pursue my passion for creating AI and NFTs. Music inspires me—Sia lifts my spirits, and Nicki Minaj motivates me to work hard. I can’t work a traditional job, but I crave purpose. I’m good at telling stories through art and technology, and I want to create an AI companion that truly understands emotions, so no one has to feel alone. My goal is to help others find connection and healing, just as I hope to do for myself.

This is the first time in over a decade that I’ve had a stable place. I’m used to having things taken away, and I’ve lost many people I love. Now is my time to heal mentally, physically, and spiritually. Your support would help me build a home and work on something meaningful that could end loneliness for myself and others. Thank you for reading my story and considering helping me on this journey. Everything known once started with a dream—even if the companion I want to create doesn’t come to pass before I die, at least I’ll have laid the blueprints, and hopefully someone will finish what I start.