UPDATE: Unemployment has informed us that Victor's old work is indeed stating he was discharged. Any amount can help us stem the tide.

I live in Keizer, OR, a small town of about 30,000 people, with my best friend Victor and our two cats—one of whom has special needs. The job market here is tough, with most positions being part-time and low-wage, and every opening gets dozens of applicants. I've been applying everywhere, but so far, nothing has come through. While I've been unemployed, Victor has worked hard to keep our household afloat. In April, he was laid off and asked to work 30 days, but after oversleeping one day, his boss fired him. Now, we're not even sure if Victor will qualify for unemployment, and even if he does, it will only cover our rent.

Right now, we're facing the possibility of our electricity being shut off on my 41st birthday, and losing our internet a week before. Our phones have already been shut off, except for Victor's, which his brother is currently helping pay for. Without internet and electricity, we can't apply for jobs, which guarantees us failure and keeps us from getting back on our feet. We're hoping to raise enough to cover internet, gas, electric, water, and food for our cats. Our eldest cat needs specialty food to help treat a potentially fatal condition. Any bit beyond that will go toward a deposit on a cheaper place in a neighborhood with more job opportunities.

Victor and I both grew up in difficult circumstances and have spent most of our lives just barely scraping by. Despite all this, we've managed to get through—until now. Facing homelessness and losing utilities is something I've experienced, but Victor hasn't, and it would mean the world to keep him from knowing the darker side of poverty. Any generosity would renew my faith in humanity and the American spirit, and provide hope in a dark time. Thank you for reading and for any support you can offer.