Hi friends! I want to first say that I am unbelievably grateful for all of the love and support that I have received over the last weeks. My rent for October is paid in full and I can’t thank everyone enough for making that happen.

 

Unfortunately I have yet to secure a guarantor meaning that I will likely lose my current lease; the renewal offer expires today, 10/11. I am able to stay in the apartment in a month-to-month agreement, but I will still need to pay the rent in full each month to ensure that I am not at risk of eviction. The complex is also free to increase my rent at any time without the protection of a long-term lease. I am still actively looking for roommates, but nothing has panned out so far. This is all to say that as a last resort measure I am setting up this housing fund to both ensure that I am able to stay in my apartment and that I am able to continue school. For right now, the focus is on getting my rent paid through the rest of the year with the hope that I will be able to find roommates for January.

 

This time last year we were in a very similar situation. Last October I flew home mid-semester to help my mom with the emergency move out of our water-damaged apartment and into a new apartment. While we had an abundance of support then too, this situation was still incredibly triggering and overwhelming. My mental health took a huge hit and I ultimately had to take a leave of absence from school so that I could focus on taking care of myself. Taking another leave is frankly not an option for me at the moment. I am a fifth-year and financial aid has already been a bit difficult to work with because I am now past the 4-year timeline. Doing another semester or year is just not logistically possible.

 

Moving would also no doubt have a detrimental impact on my overall wellbeing and I do not believe that I currently have the capacity to cope or emotionally support myself through that. I have made a lot of progress with my mental health, but the last quarter of 2021 has already proven to be filled with a consistent stream of triggers and big challenges. As a Black student who is very far from home, this is a really scary situation. Not to mention the fact that I am still emotionally recovering from the trauma that was caused and resurfaced by Hurricane Ida.

 

Mom and I are both very headstrong and that makes it incredibly difficult for us to ask for help when we need it most. We've done all that we can to avoid another campaign, but the situation is just too precarious to not ask for support. Please know that we surely would not ask if we didn’t absolutely need the financial help.

 

For those of you who do not know, my mom is a single-parent and a teacher in New Orleans. I am also working part-time (12-20 hours) along with school. Together we simply do not make enough to keep me in my apartment. I want to be as transparent as possible. My rent as of now is $3896. Any additional funds will go toward utilities (as I am now responsible for the whole apartment), household expenses, and transportation.

 

I am wholeheartedly grateful for any- and everything. If you are able to donate, please do. If not, please share this to widen the network of support. Prayers and love are also incredibly appreciated. Sending so much love in return.

 

With endless gratitude,

Anya