Hi, I'm Rose Contreras, and I am asking for help to keep myself afloat for the next month. After a difficult two years of unemployment, I decided it was best to change careers to something more marketable. I worked as a technical writer in the IT industry for over 14 years. I loved my career and my work. In February 2023, my contract with a tech company ended when management decided to close the project. I wasn't worried because I have never had trouble finding a job. However, things didn't go as I hoped, and last summer, I ran out of my unemployment benefits. I decided to change careers to something more marketable. I found a local program that helps people in dire situations get career training, and I definitely qualified. I chose to enter a 7-month boot camp to become a cybersecurity penetration tester. I will be finished with my program on March 9, 2025. The boot camp company will be placing me in a job.

During this time, my marriage became unsustainable, and I separated from my husband and moved in with a relative. My husband told me he is not able to afford the car payment. I kept the car, and he made a partial payment in late January. I have been beating the bushes trying to find temporary employment to get me through the last few weeks of my boot camp. I have come up with nothing, though I continue to search. I am able to afford food by selling plasma twice a week locally.

My car lender told me that I need to come up with the remaining January balance, and I need to make the February and March payments, though the lender will wait a little longer for March.

The bright side of my story is that the company that runs the boot camp will be helping to place me in a job. I think my prospects for employment are extremely good, and that I will be back on my feet soon.

In the meantime, I need funds so that I don't lose my car. I will need it for my job hunting, and I don't want to hurt my already struggling financial situation by having a car repossession on my credit report.

My entire adult life, I have always had a job. I have never experienced the employment dry spell that I have been through in the last 2 years. I have high hopes that I will be back on my feet very soon. Right now, I just need to hold onto my car and find employment IMMEDIATELY.