Help Overcome Hardships After Hurricane Helene

Hello friends, thank you for taking a look. I’ve promoted gofundme’s for friends in the past, but never thought I would be here for myself. Yet, here we are. 

To say the last year has been tough would be an understatement. Even before hurricane Helene I was facing a lot of obstacles. As many of you know, I was caring for a partner with breast cancer, which required a delicate balance of working and being available to help her. Then last July I broke my leg fairly severely, requiring months of a cast and limited mobility. I worked when and where I could, but running a rock show with one good leg was a very challenging thing to accomplish. Things were already getting bad at that point, then the hurricane happened. Every music venue I had a connection to here was destroyed. I tried to push through, because many, many people had it much worse than I did. The depression in such a situation was very real, and I did my best to cope. It’s still an ongoing effort. 

I’ve been looking for steady employment for months, not only to stay afloat, but to handle past due bills that have accrued over this past year. The job market in this town leaves a lot to be desired. There are long lines of music industry folks waiting for a chance at any available gig. The rest of the job market is just as bad. So many businesses were destroyed, there doesn't seem to be enough good jobs to go around. 

Through all of this, my landlord has been an absolute saint. He understands, and he has gone above and beyond to be patient and kind with me. But, I owe him several months rent. He runs a small business that also took a substantial hit during the hurricane and my debt to him is impactful on him and his family. It keeps me awake at night knowing I’m making his life harder while he’s shown me nothing but kindness. I need to remedy this situation, and I’m struggling to. I’ve sold anything I had of any worth over the last year, so that's not an option. In the past month, my relationship has dissolved, so I’m starting out from scratch again. My drivers license has been suspended for a ticket that I couldn’t afford to pay. So, I really am trying to climb back up from what feels like rock bottom. 

As I mentioned I’m looking every day for a job that's capable of supporting my quiet little life, and I know something will happen soon. I have faith. That covers going forward. It does not however cover the several months of rent I owe to a very good and compassionate man. Or the legal fees to get my drivers license back. So, here I am. It’s tough for me to ask for help, I prefer to be the one offering it. I’m setting my goal for the back rent I owe and the money I owe the state, nothing more. I know things are tough for everyone right now, and I hate to be the one asking, but I could really use a hand. Anything you can spare will be helpful, and will go directly to repay someone who has already helped me so much. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for being my friends. It helps just knowing you’re all here.