Fortunately or maybe unfortunately this isn’t my first time going through homelessness. Which the last time maybe was what inspired me to be something more. And little by little after getting better jobs, getting back above water, going back to school and eventually becoming an engineer to work on some of the most amazing things I could ever imagine, I have always felt lucky to be where I am, and not many make it out from the places I have been, but maybe that’s what made me who I am today.

As I’ve progressed to better and better places, I’ve enjoyed spending time volunteering and giving to charities and those in need, as well as just trying to be a good role model for the youth to inspire and interest them in directions that are positive and away from where I’ve been in my darker of days that I typically don’t share unless I see a need for it. And now I have again been humbled in my apartment collapsing from storm here while I was away in DC for work, which it destroyed nearly everything right after just getting settled in here, and maybe this is just another wake up call to keep me reminded of where I need to be. I’m starting from nothing again but this time with a mix of a well paying job, but a lot of debt which will be a new challenge.

I’ve been able to get some help from places like Red Cross and Salvation Army where I’ve lightheadedly given blood and whole heartedly volunteered for many years, but I’m unfortunately ineligible to receive many services due to having the job I do. Sadly as well, I was paying for renters insurance through my apartment, but it wasn’t shared that it only covers damage to the building and nothing for my personal belongings, and now after my roof collapsed and destroyed many things, there is also asbestos covering everything and it has contaminated all of my furniture, clothes, mattress, etc., and left me with very few things that I’m trying to still salvage.

I have to mention as well with this, that I am so grateful and lucky to be a part of the barbershop community as some members of the Phoenicians chorus here have already helped me from having to live in the shelter, as being new to Phoenix not even 2 months living here, I have very few friends and no family here for support.

This is the part I’ve been afraid do and I’ve never been good at asking for help but first I’d like to ask that no one provides help unless you are really doing well off and able to support in some way. I’ve tried helping too much while living paycheck to paycheck and it doesn’t work well, lesson learned. But if you’d like to help in some way I would appreciate it. I’m currently living in an empty apartment with no hot water yet and will be sleeping on an air mattress on the floor for a pretty long time without furnishings. It would be nice to have a bed and things to sit on while I eat my maruchan ramen like old times. And when I get back above water again, I give my promise to pay back any of those that are able to help.

I’ve started a go fund me for those that can donate money and want to donate to a charity for tax purposes, or you can also send directly to me and I it will avoid any fees, but at this point, anything would help, even advice or just someone to talk to could help at times, and I would be eternally grateful and do my best to pay it back or pay it forward.

Thank you <3<3

Kevin.