With the help of a grant from the CA Driving Clean Assistance Program, I recently purchased a used electric vehicle, a 2018 Fiat 500e. I have been using it to commute to my caregiving job in the Berkeley Hills, as there is no reliable public transportation to that area. During my commute, I kept hearing a thumping sound coming from below the car. It seems that the suspension was defective when I purchased the vehicle. Two weeks ago, the suspension came undone, broke, and my left front wheel fell off. Thankfully, I was not on the Bay Bridge when it happened, so I avoided a serious accident.

As many of you know, I lived in an RV for about two years, forced to move from a safe, secure area in Bernal Hill by the city of San Francisco. My Bernal Hill RV community and I were constantly harassed and displaced by police and parking enforcement officers. Now, the City has purchased most of the RVs and is helping us find housing. I am temporarily living in a hotel near Union Square and working with a case manager to find permanent, stable housing.

Now, I am facing expensive repairs to fix the suspension and realign the vehicle. Since the grant only covered the purchase, I have no funds left to cover these unexpected costs. I truly need help with this setback.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Your support will help me get back on the road safely, continue supporting myself, move forward toward stable housing, and expand my caregiving business.