Hello, thank you for reading yet another emergency mutual fund. My name is Erika, and I am a freelance journalist in dire need of immediate funds to catch up on my back bills. While I am one of the many Black women who have been laid off/downsized, I am thankful for the bit of freelance work I am still able to land. As a result, my invoices are slow to process/have not cleared, and my bills continue to pile up.

Earlier this year, I experienced a dangerous fall resulting in the tearing of ligaments in my right ankle. Now that I am uninsured ( thanks to this administration), I am responsible for the full cost of my medicine and doctor visits. I now have osteoarthritis and live with chronic pain.

As you can imagine, navigating this way has been taxing on my mental health. Even putting this fundraiser together has elevated my anxiety because I am scared to ask, but I am out of options.

This goal will cover my housing and medical bills to continue my treatments and to access the medicine I need to function. I am asking the world to help me raise money to ensure that my daughter and I are housed throughout the holiday season. Even though I won't be able to give my child the Christmas she deserves, I at least want to secure our home.

I know these are trying times, but I promise to pay it forward once I can. If you have any communications leads in the advocacy/non-profit space, please feel free to consider me.