Help Shaley Rebuild (plus) Homelessness Fund. and Awareness

Howdy,

My name is Shaley Scott (some may also know me as "Mel").

I can't believe I am in this spot...but, I am.

I would love your help in rebuilding, getting into a room or place of my own, and have a chance to continue my music career.

You see, for the 3rd time in the past year--I am facing being homeless; it’s been a journey.

How did I get here?

Here's my story:

I am a mom...trying to make it as a musician again, after a Separation/Divorce.

It seems so hard to believe at times...yet, I see how fast it happened, and now I look at homelessness in such a different way. I also experienced the stigma still attached to it.

It can happen to anyone…and fast.

Divorce is hard…all of it. We were still living together, & after a few moths, it seemed like I really needed to move out. But—I lost a huge chunk of my income.

I had no credit card....and, no savings. Nothing really. In hindsight--I had tried to move out too early. I thought it was the right thing to do.

But, I did find a guest house, that let me have the first 2 months free, knowing my single mom situation. I was very grateful!

I moved in to that new place last January 1st--and, thought I had hit the lottery, and I could get a job right away, plus do music, and I'd be okay, and able to pay by March 1st, easy.

Well, it took me longer to find part time jobs than I thought (we all know job hunting is hard).

I finally found two really great part time jobs, after a few weeks.

It was going pretty well eventually, but it just wasn’t enough time, by the end of the 8 weeks.

I was looking at March 1st already—and even though I was getting money again, I did not have enough for the March rent I owed in time.

I was now homeless.

I was feeling emotionally beat down. I was just drained. My soul needed a recharge, and a change of scenery for just a bit...and, to hopefully spark something at the same time!

So, I thought....better to be homeless in LA for a few weeks, staying with old friends, giving myself a recharge, and a chance to reconnect, AND possibly a chance to set up some very good stuff and get some songwriting co-writes done!

But, it was fight or flight every day when I got to LA....

One bad thing happened after another, from my car battery dying, to bad food poisoning, to losing my Driver’s License and having no ID to do anything, to THEN losing my car keys--which then ended up leaving me stranded and now homeless in my car—in a Walmart parking lot for a week. It wasn’t fun. But, I learned a lot about myself. It was definitely an adventure.

I DID end up getting back to Colorado with help from a friend.

Since the summer, I have been able to stay in a friend's loft, and have been so grateful.

But, it took months to find a job again.

Got a job at a hotel finally—but, had to quit due to some very bad chronic body pain I was experiencing at the time...(another story, but getting a handle on that much better these days). It was awful. **Shout out to chronic pain sufferers.**

Tried to get music going again in the loft, but my computer broke…got a new one, but had to send the new one back, had other operational snags…..got it up and running—but, then my recording subscription finally ran out…..AND then my car broke down.

Now, I was biking it 4 miles to the bus stop…so, I could ride the bus around…and get food at the food pantries.

I just kept starting “in the hole”…playing catch up.

I never had the few months consecutively that I really needed for everything to just be up and running smooth—to be able to book jobs, and me in a place of my own, giving it my all to the music.

So, I find myself this past week homeless again, BUT without a car this time.

There ARE good things happening though!

I have many clients who want to do more songs with me, and have reached out.

I also have been channeling instant classical piano pieces, and other songs...and have hundreds of songs just ready to go…and a country album written and half recorded. I am sooo very excited about my music future.

I am asking at a chance to finally get ahead, get into a new place to live and be settled.…and to have a fighting chance to do what I love to do so much, for a living again.

I am asking for help with upfront moving costs, other added music subscriptions and studio costs, and to possibly get my car fixed so I can pick up my daughter again—to help me rebuild my life, and give myself and my career the chance I know I deserve, and have worked so hard for.

I ALSO would love help in raising some extra money for my “Huggie Snuggie Socks”….warm and comfort for the homeless.

I’ve handed out 2 already…and, they loved them!

They are knee high socks with pictures that make you smile on them (like cute Corgis), filled with RICE that you warm up in a microwave for just 3 1/2 minutes, and they can keep you warm for up to 45 minutes.....then can turn into a wrap around hug, soothing weight on your chest, and/or a pillow.

These get soooo HOT too....it's so great!

Now, imagine when you're homeless how valuable this could be?!

There are microwaves everywhere now too, in most gas stations....in some laundry mats, etc.

A lot of options to microwave, but it is also meant to provide a poem to make you smile, a pillow, and a snuggle.

I attach my original poem to the end of the socks--it's for them to keep, and re-read any time they may need to feel some love.

My goal is to be able to make a whole bunch of "Huggie Snuggie Socks" to hand out all over my area!

Here is the poem, I'd like to share it:

A Simple Gift

(The “Huggie Snuggie Sock” Poem)

I wanted to give you this simple gift

With it, may your spirits uplift

It isn’t fancy, but I hope it brings you a smile

Even for just for a little while

You can snuggle it warm, you can snuggle it cold

You can hug it whether you’re young or old

It can be a small pillow for your head

Especially if you’re without a bed

And, even if you have a bed tonight

You can hold it close to you, nice and tight

Let it be a long hug, or snuggle for you

Any time you need it to

And, if you find yourself transient or homeless today…

I wish for better times & luck to come your way

Whether it was unfortunate events, or a past mistake

No judging eyes do I make

Regardless of your past—or, if you’ve fallen from

the ladder...

I want you to know that YOU STILL MATTER

To me, it matters if you’re alive,

May you find joy and hope…and, may you thrive

And, please if you’re ever feeling down—

You can re-read this poem, to help ease your frown

May it be a reminder of my care for you…

Read it as many times as you would like to

Because, to me...you can shine, and I wish you the best

I send you hope, every time you hold the sock to your chest

For they are not just a poem, or a sock you see—

Please know they are unconditional love from ME

——————————————-

What I found was, when you’re homeless, the last thing you need is another judging eye. What you need is some EXTRA love, and less judgement, more tools, some help, and maybe a hug:)

You just want love and compassion. Someone to say they do not care why or how you got in this position--just....."How can I help you?"

Because to me.....food and shelter are BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS.

Every human should be able to have at the very least--these things.

I believe every human deserves a roof over their head at all times, and food to survive; regardless.

So, I’d love to not only ask for help with me rebuilding, and me getting into a warm place of my own—but, to be able to hand out more of these “Huggie Snuggie Socks” to help others stay warm, as well.

Sending so much love...thanks for your time!

--Shaley Scott

(Mel)