Most people reading this already know me and my life story. But, for those who don't:

For at least 20 years straight, although I was working full-time, my life was full of poverty (including near homelessness), stress, depression, and trauma. In February of 2024, a dear elderly friend who I helped for ten years, sadly passed away, and she left me with a generous inheritance. I decided to quit my job of ten and a half years in an assisted living facility, where I worked mostly with seniors who had Alzheimer's and dementia, and take a much-needed mental health break.

After years of renting rooms in toxic environments, struggling paycheck to paycheck, and almost at the breaking point emotionally, I was finally able to not have to worry about money for a while and focus on things that are important to me. Like friends and family (especially my daughter), my creative and social justice goals, and my faith community (I started attending my church regularly after 20 years). Since I wasn't anxious about money, I had more time to work on myself and also become more responsible financially. I paid all of my bills, including debt I had defaulted on, and my credit score greatly improved.

One of the problems I experienced when looking for an apartment was my credit score was too low, so I worked hard to get it above 700.

In June 2024, I was able to find a couple who, despite my bad credit, allowed me to rent a one-bedroom guest house for a year, provided I paid for the year upfront.

I enjoyed living in that guest house, but by May 2025, I had to find other housing. In contrast to a year earlier, my credit was good, but since I was unemployed and my inheritance was running low, I was constantly rejected. Fortunately, I was able to find my current residence, a one-bedroom apartment.

In November 2025, my inheritance ran out. I wasn't ready to go back to a full-time job, but I was able to find a part-time job as an in-home caregiver. In January 2026, that job unexpectedly ended due to financial reasons. One of the things I've learned over the years is elder care is very expensive, and unless you make under a certain amount, you cannot get government assistance.

Since December, I've been really struggling to pay my rent (my church has generously helped, but they can't continue to help). I'm starting a new job as a Skills Instructor with Villa Esperanza in Pasadena, but I won't get paid until April.

I'm currently dead broke and in debt, and behind in bills. My credit score has tanked. I'm temporarily receiving SNAP (once I get paid, I won't qualify anymore) and I'll probably be able to get a measly $174 from unemployment before I don't qualify for that either. I don't qualify for general relief because my car is worth more than $4500. I've gone to the County and non-profits to see about rental assistance and I don't qualify for anything.

I've received a three-day pay or quit notice from my landlord. I was able to get an extension until the 25th. I want to stay here until my lease is up in May and then I'll move out and rent a room, as it doesn't look like I can afford even a studio.

I'm trying to work with my landlord so I can stay and avoid the stress of eviction, even though I don't have the money to pay rent. They told me once I receive the eviction notice, to contact their attorney and work out a stipulation agreement to pay back rent and stay in the apartment until May.

I would rather pay my rent and be done with this apartment in May, and I can move to a new room without the added stress of paying back a landlord. One of the problems is that if I break the lease early, I'm still responsible for paying rent until they've found someone to rent the apartment to.

It's just better to pay for the entire lease and get out of here.

What I'm asking:

A total of $10,000

$2319.70 to pay on March 25th

$2200 to pay on April 1st

$2200 to pay on May 1st.

Remaining $3200 to pay overdue bills, like car payments, insurance, phone, Wi-Fi, electric, and gas.

Thank you for your consideration to help. One of the things I enjoyed over the last two years was being able to help people and non-profits out financially. In the past, I didn't really have extra money to give. I hope to get back to generous giving soon.