Hi everyone,

I’m starting this fundraiser on behalf of my friend, Milena. She wanted to explain her situation in her own words, so below I have included a message from her:

Hello everyone, my name is Milena and I am in dire need of help to stay safely housed in New York City. I am trying to raise $6,000 to cover moving and rental costs so I don’t lose my home.

It is very difficult for me to come on this platform and ask for money, I am embarrassed to even have to ask for this help, but I have no more resources and I am absolutely desperate.

I lost my job as a waitress a year ago. I have been applying to many different restaurants, either filling out applications online, or going in person to open calls, or even just going door to door explaining my situation, begging them to hire me. I have left my resume all over the city, and I’ve picked up a few shifts here and there over the last year, but it’s only ever enough money to pay a few bills and buy personal care products. For the last several months I’ve been getting food from food banks and pantries in order to get by.

I have never had such trouble finding a job in the past. I am limited in the kinds of jobs I can do because I have lupus (an autoimmune condition), but I have applied to as many industries as I can – retail, custodial, hospitality, etc – and for some reason no one has been able to offer me a full time job, if they even replied at all.

I am at the end of my rope. I’ve sold everything I own (shoes, clothes, electronics, jewelry, basically anything that a second-hand store would buy) for very little cash in order to make ends meet.

Since I don’t have any family here, and my few friends are also struggling financially, I don’t have anyone to turn to. I’ve used up all my savings in the last year, a bulk of which went to paying my medical bills, since the stress from this whole situation has made me develop panic attacks which have aggravated my lupus.

Now I am facing eviction. I have not been able to pay rent in the last year, and so my landlord has given me until October 31st to vacate, but I have nowhere to go.

I waited such a long time to post this since I was still holding out hope to find a full time job, but I’ve had no luck and I am running down the clock. I am absolutely terrified I will end up on the street in two months’ time if I don’t find some sort of help.

I am asking you, my dear stranger friends, to help me with any amount that you can spare, so I may find a room to rent somewhere by October 31st. The $6,000 I am hoping to raise will go towards moving and rental costs while I continue my job search.

I want to express in advance, my gratitude and appreciation for each and every one of you, for any donations that you can spare or even just sharing this fundraiser, and also for reading this far into my story. Your support could be the reason I stay safe and get back on my feet.

Thank you all.

Sincerely,

Milena