Help Tristen and Olive Overcome Divorce & Job Loss

Hi, hello!

You probably don’t know me and that’s totally cool, my name is Theresa and I’m here to ask for your invaluable help for our dear friend Tristen! Yes, you! And you in the back as well! I need your help!

I wish I could say this is an awesome story full of amazing highlights and crazy adventure, but you did click a GoFundMe link, so I’m guessing you realized there wasn’t really good news on the other side of that click.

The good news is that I had the incredible luck of crossing paths with Tristen while working together on a project at Think Company, with her as my Creative Director, and me as a chaotic Senior Designer. Sometimes in life you have one of those rare moments where, from across the room (or Zoom in this case as I live in Chicago), you immediately click with someone on some invisible, mysterious level. In this case, I didn’t realize in that moment what we would connect over and how deeply. Unfortunately, our time spent working together was brief. Life is tragic like that.

If you heard a record scratch in your head, because you’re like “wait, didn’t Tristen just start at Think Company, like… a few months ago?” Well, you’re not wrong. This brings me to the reason why this GoFundMe was started…

ITEM NUMBER #1: Tristen was laid off

Yeah, oof. Tristen was let go from Think Company just this past Friday with limited severance for her and Olive. The details don’t matter much, but it was no fault of Tristen’s at all, whatsoever. The client project we were both on, cut their budget, and unfortunately this impacted Tristen’s position at Think.

She’s already discovered it's a mess to get unemployment rolling because of the timing of when Tristen went on maternity leave last year. Can you believe they make things harder when you’re a mother? It may take weeks, or much longer for the money to hit her bank account.

And that’s not even mentioning the divorce. You do know about that, right? Right…?

ITEM NUMBER #2: Tristen is going through a divorce

If you are unaware, Tristen was very recently thrown head first into a very… [REDACTED] very [REDACTED] stressful, sudden, and [REDACTED] unexpected divorce. And if you’re doubly unaware, divorce lawyers are really [REDACTED] expensive. I swear, lawyers bill by the second. That breath of air you just took in, $5. That, just now, another $10.

I’m going to be brief here, but know that my brevity does not mean there is no shortage of distress, and emotional turmoil in my words. Hushed plans, lawyer hired, emergency hearing, hefty retainer paid, divorce filed, more hearings and now Olive lives with Tristen in Washington and her ex lives with his family in Nevada while they work through custody in court. Please feel free to reach out to Tristen directly to get the full story as it is not mine to tell. The only thing I can say is that I was in utter shock when she did have the courage to tell me what transpired.

She’s exhausted all of her savings, taken out loans, and used up all she has to pay for the lawyer that prioritizes what is best for her and Olive while they go through this divorce. I can’t imagine how terrifying it must be to have nothing left financially and be faced with such uncertainty while trying to support yourself after someone betrayed you so deeply.

ITEM NUMBER #3: Tristen also has regular bills to pay

Did I mention Tristen also has, ya know, regular responsibilities to manage as well? Here is a non-exhaustive list just to give you a picture:

Unemployment will only cover so much and it WILL NOT cover everything Tristen needs by a long shot. She needs help from us. Also, keep in mind the tech and design industry is a tough place to be right now. I have been a working professional designer for nearly 15 years and I don’t know that the market has ever been this tough (besides maybe 2007/2008). Tristen is talented as hell, and I know she will snag an awesome gig eventually, but she needs time.

All things considered, without an income, Tristen has a gap of $5500 each month without unemployment that must be paid so that she can keep a roof over her head, pay her bills, afford healthcare, take care of her pets, and of course Olive. IF she gets unemployment, it only brings it down to $2000. My goal is to give her 3-4 months of coverage so she can breathe while looking for a job. So that is why I have set the goal at $15,000.

I don’t think she’s the type to admit just how much stress she is under right now, but she’s feeling it.

ITEM NUMBER #4: Tristen needs a life preserver, literally

Tristen and I have bonded over the experience of going through stressful divorces (though I have no idea what it’s like having a kid, so she has me beat there!) and so I knew she was already at her limit when this fresh blow of losing her job hit her. I also know she hates asking for help and that it is so difficult to do so. Vulnerability is so hard, but having the courage to do so is what makes Tristen so strong. But I’m more than happy to be the one actually typing out the request for help~!

Right now, Tristen and Olive need a life preserver in the form of monetary assistance to get them through the next few months. We need to buy them time. I know Tristen will land on her feet, but she needs help getting there, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to help in any way you can.

HOW TRISTEN WILL GIVE BACK

Tristen is aware that I am making this campaign and has fretted over not being able to pay back any help she may receive. She has committed to writing out a thank you postcard with a magnet or sticker that has her artwork on it, and sending it your way. .

You can send a message to gofundmetristen at the google email provider or send a DM with your name, a screenshot of the email confirmation or confirmation screen of a donation (you can block out any details you don't want to share), your address, and we will send the goods your way! The last thing either of us wants is for anyone to feel that your help goes out into the void and is not appreciated or really cherished. Tristen will be indebted to anyone who helps and this gesture is the most she can do at this time. I can't express how much it will mean to her and Olive to receive this help.

Feel free to use the hashtag #helptristenout2024 to help spread the word.

So, please. If you are able, please donate to this GoFundMe so that Tristen can breathe until she gets her footing again. If you can’t donate, please share the link to this GoFundMe to your social media networks, friends, family, word of mouth, anyone who will listen. We need as many people as we can to help. I have been lucky enough to be on the receiving end of a GoFundMe and you have no idea how meaningful, impactful, and life-changing they can be. If you’re thinking “it’s only $25…”, trust me it goes further than you would think. Please know how much of an impact you can make right now.

Let’s change Tristen’s life, together.