I want to speak to anyone who has ever been on the edge of homelessness — or who understands how fast life can collapse when you run out of options. The fear of not knowing where you will sleep. The pressure of serious illness with no money left to manage it. The feeling that everything is happening at once and there is nowhere to turn.

I am writing this on behalf of my friend Richard (66), and I am asking our community for help because he currently has no income and nowhere safe to go.

Richard is a former local business owner in Atlanta and a beloved Uber driver who continued driving in retirement because he genuinely loved people. He enjoyed the conversations, the connections, and the sense of purpose it gave him. He is known for being calm, wise, and non-judgmental — the kind of person who makes others feel at ease.

Last month, Richard’s health suddenly and severely declined. He survived a critical hospitalization at Grady Hospital, including time on life support. Since then, he has been discharged but is now on permanent hemodialysis due to kidney failure and is unable to work.

At the same time, he has lost all income and stability.

The situation has now become urgent. The home he is currently staying in will be vacated by the owner in less than 48 hours, leaving him with nowhere to go. He is physically weak, recovering from a life-threatening illness, and still requires regular dialysis and ongoing medical care.

The immediate goal is to secure a clean, safe, short-term place for Richard to stay near his dialysis clinic so he can continue treatment and recover without interruption while longer-term housing options are arranged.

Any support will go directly toward temporary housing, transportation to medical appointments, medications, and basic living needs during this critical time.

If you are able to donate or share this fundraiser, it would mean more than I can express.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for helping Richard in this moment of need.