I was a tenant at 409 E. 9th Street Apt 212 when a gas leak caused my building to explode while I was inside working from home. In an instant, I lost everything—my home, my clothes, my car, and my phone. I managed to escape with only a T-shirt and shorts, climbing through the rubble with no shoes on, surrounded by bricks and glass. The building went up in flames so quickly, and I am incredibly grateful to be alive, but now I have nothing left. I’m currently in a lot of pain and don’t know what’s next.

Looking back, I’m thankful for my life, but I have no means of transportation, no clothing, and none of the basic necessities I need to get by. My car was destroyed as it was parked on the street, and I am working with someone from the city to get into a hotel room, but I have no idea what is going to happen moving forward. I need help starting over and covering immediate needs like toiletries, food, and a safe place to stay.

Any support you can give would mean the world to me as I try to rebuild after losing everything. Thank you for reading my story and for any help you can offer.