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My name is Trisha, and asking for help is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do—but my situation has become urgent, and I’m doing everything I can to stay afloat until I can get back on my feet.
I’ve worked hard my entire life, and for the past two years I was with a company where I truly thought I had found stability. But a few months ago, during our busiest season, things changed. Tensions rose, commissions started coming in “off” or not at all, and despite doing everything I could to help improve the situation, the pay issues never got resolved. Then, without warning, we were all laid off. Only about a quarter of us were offered the chance to work 1099, but that didn’t come with benefits, PTO, or any of the income we were owed. All of our PTO was wiped out, our benefits ended immediately, and because payroll runs Wednesday–Tuesday, we didn’t even receive a full week’s pay. I had to fight just to get 17 hours.
This would be hard for anyone—but the truth is, the past two years have already pushed me to my limit. A couple of years ago, several companies I worked for went out of business in a short span, including one that still owes me money. I’ve been trying to rebuild ever since. Then last year, I was sick often, and in May my mom broke her neck. She spent four months in the hospital before passing in September. Losing her broke something in me that I’m still trying to heal. Not long after, the issues at work began. In January, my cat passed away. A week before the layoff, I found out my lease won’t be renewed, so I have to move in four months. And then the job disappeared.
It feels like everything has hit at once, and I’m exhausted. My depression has returned, and the anxiety is overwhelming. I’m trying my best, but right now I’m scared. The good news—and the reason I’m still fighting—is that I’m in the process for a new position I should have taken three years ago. It’s stable, my friends thrive there, and it’s exactly the kind of place where I can rebuild. If I’m offered the job, it will start in about a month. I also have a backup plan that would begin the first week of May. But I need help getting through the next few weeks.
What I need help with: rent, utilities (heat, electric, phone, internet), groceries, dog food (I’m almost out), and my medications (I’m trying to stretch them because I no longer have insurance). I’ve applied for unemployment, but because they offered 1099 work, I don’t know if it will be approved. I’m trying to make some sales as 1099 while I can, but mentally it’s incredibly hard to stay in that environment after everything that’s happened. I’m also selling what I can on Marketplace.
I would not be asking if there were any other way. Once I move and get settled, I plan to take on a side gig to rebuild my savings so I never have to ask for help like this again. If you’re able to donate, share, or even just send encouragement, it means more than I can express. I’m doing everything I can to get back to stability—I just need a bridge to get there.
Thank you for reading, and thank you for caring.
— Trisha
I’ve worked hard my entire life, and for the past two years I was with a company where I truly thought I had found stability. But a few months ago, during our busiest season, things changed. Tensions rose, commissions started coming in “off” or not at all, and despite doing everything I could to help improve the situation, the pay issues never got resolved. Then, without warning, we were all laid off. Only about a quarter of us were offered the chance to work 1099, but that didn’t come with benefits, PTO, or any of the income we were owed. All of our PTO was wiped out, our benefits ended immediately, and because payroll runs Wednesday–Tuesday, we didn’t even receive a full week’s pay. I had to fight just to get 17 hours.
This would be hard for anyone—but the truth is, the past two years have already pushed me to my limit. A couple of years ago, several companies I worked for went out of business in a short span, including one that still owes me money. I’ve been trying to rebuild ever since. Then last year, I was sick often, and in May my mom broke her neck. She spent four months in the hospital before passing in September. Losing her broke something in me that I’m still trying to heal. Not long after, the issues at work began. In January, my cat passed away. A week before the layoff, I found out my lease won’t be renewed, so I have to move in four months. And then the job disappeared.
It feels like everything has hit at once, and I’m exhausted. My depression has returned, and the anxiety is overwhelming. I’m trying my best, but right now I’m scared. The good news—and the reason I’m still fighting—is that I’m in the process for a new position I should have taken three years ago. It’s stable, my friends thrive there, and it’s exactly the kind of place where I can rebuild. If I’m offered the job, it will start in about a month. I also have a backup plan that would begin the first week of May. But I need help getting through the next few weeks.
What I need help with: rent, utilities (heat, electric, phone, internet), groceries, dog food (I’m almost out), and my medications (I’m trying to stretch them because I no longer have insurance). I’ve applied for unemployment, but because they offered 1099 work, I don’t know if it will be approved. I’m trying to make some sales as 1099 while I can, but mentally it’s incredibly hard to stay in that environment after everything that’s happened. I’m also selling what I can on Marketplace.
I would not be asking if there were any other way. Once I move and get settled, I plan to take on a side gig to rebuild my savings so I never have to ask for help like this again. If you’re able to donate, share, or even just send encouragement, it means more than I can express. I’m doing everything I can to get back to stability—I just need a bridge to get there.
Thank you for reading, and thank you for caring.
— Trisha
Organizer
