This is a hard thing to write and share. But…

I am posting this because I need help. Without some assistance, I could lose everything I’ve worked so hard to build in Florida. This is my George Bailey moment, and I am asking my community to help with a donation to my GoFundMe to help me stay on the good trajectory that I am on. My Mom told me, “How can people help if they don’t know that you need help?” So here I am, asking for help, because I am so happy here, and I want to maintain all the good that I am creating in my life.

I need help getting back on top of my rent and avoiding eviction. Here’s what’s going on:

Two months ago, I was on my way to work and I was struck on my driver’s side door, through no fault of my own. I was injured and my car was totaled. Shortly after that crash, the nannying job that I had held for months, abruptly let me go with no notice. Painfully, it took me weeks to find another job. And as a result I fell behind on my rent.

I door dashed, I sold my belongings, I took side gigs where I could. Anything to make ends meet.

I finally did find an excellent job which I am so happy to have, as an office manager. It’s one I truly enjoy, with long term potential, working with a great team, ten minutes from my apartment. Things have really been feeling like they were falling into place. I got the job, I have a place that I feel safe in, I’ve made friends, I’ve been singing. I’m building a support system down here of caring individuals. In that way, things are really going great.

But with the lapse of rent paid, and after waiting on my first paycheck, one day too late, and I was given an eviction notice if the entire past and present balance is not paid in full. I have 30 days or less to get this together, and still have rent for the next month. I have part of that balance, but I need help reaching that goal so that I can stay where I’ve been building my life. (Good housing is not easy to come by down here, as I’ve seen, so I desperately want to stay where I am.)

If I can’t pay that amount before that time and things go to court, I could be evicted, with no where to go.

That can not happen.

If I can catch up on my rent, then I have steady work and income that more than covers my rent and monthly bills. If I can catch up on that rent, then I have a safe place to recharge and launch from every day. I just need to get out of the hole.

Things were already heavy before all of this, and it just seemed they were looking up to feel more secure. After a bout of pneumonia that had me hospitalized, a death in the family, and another recent visit to the ER for a hernia and digestive issue that may now require surgery… (I have been having trouble eating and swallowing and keeping things down)… my nervous system has been on overload. Survival mode for a year… takes its toll. And I would be lying if I said, at times, it hasn’t taken a toll on my mental health. Though I do remain hopeful and positive. That is my nature.

To give some perspective, I found out about the potential of this eviction an hour before I got up for my first headliner show in Florida. I thought I couldn’t do it. But I pulled it together, and I sang for almost three hours to a loving crowd.

Because. The show must go on.

I have worked so hard, hustled, stumbled and fallen, hustled some more… and picked myself back up to keep going. Every time, I know I am coming back stronger, AND more humbled by the experience of transition.

So here I am. There *have* also been many miracles along the way, showing me, guiding me, that I am in fact on the right path. The kindness of strangers. The support and cheers from my family and friends. Angels that have shown up when I needed them most. I’ve kept my faith the whole way. And I will continue to so. I am forever grateful for all of this, as the goodness of people has gotten me through when I needed it most.

I could use a miracle right now.

I am asking for any help you can offer, anything helps. This money will only be used to secure my home so I can launch into my next chapter on good footing. I don’t want to lose everything I’ve poured my heart and soul into over this last year, to make my life in Florida a reality.

I will always hustle and work hard. I am building my success. I do believe I will come out on the other side of this better than ever.

I can’t tell you how grateful I would be to keep my home in Florida and be able to maintain my ability to secure my health and livelihood. It would be the greatest gift I could receive for my 40th birthday.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, for any help you can offer. Anything helps.

I love you all.