Note: I’m making a gofundme for myself, but I would like to remain as anonymous as possible for my privacy. I have posted this under a nickname. I’m a Black queer woman.

Putting myself out there in this way is hard for me, but how can folx help you if they don’t know you need help? So here I am.

Long story short, I am a housing insecure student that is navigating a layoff, and would greatly appreciate any help that anyone can offer me during this time.

Since June 13th 2023 I’ve been navigating what’s been an extremely challenging transition. It was on that day I was laid off from my job where I worked as an Implementation Specialist for a tech company (I loved my job).

This layoff occurred at a terrible time. I didn’t renew my previous lease at that time and, prior to the layoff, was already scheduled to move in a new apartment in July 2023. Being hopeful and optimistic, I didn’t think it would take me a long time to get another job doing similar work. In the meantime, I secured a job in sales (in July 2023) as a bridge until I got a new job in my field. This was a significant decrease in pay but I needed something to hold me over as I navigate the layoff.

In the sales job I’ve been #1 on my team for most of my time here. Even with the commission that comes with being #1 on my team, it is still a significant pay decrease.

Within the past few months, sales have significantly decreased across the board. Because of this I took on a second job with overnight shifts in order to pay my primary bills. However, I’m still navigating my current lease that I signed when I had much higher pay. As I seek to move into more affordable housing, I’ve run into a financial barrier in securing a new lease.

Securing a new lease has come with barriers, because being laid off required that I make difficult decisions that have impacted my credit, and credit is what’s primarily screened to start a new lease. These decisions were focused on paying my primary bills so that I have housing, transportation, and food—but came at the cost of secondary bills. My two current jobs would sustain me if I’m able to get more affordable housing.

Now, I have an opportunity to secure a new lease, and at a much more affordable rate. I have been conditionally approved for this housing as long as I’m able to provide a higher than average deposit, because of how my layoff impacted my credit (they’re asking for a $2400 deposit).

Securing this lease will allow me to 1. Secure new housing, 2. Afford my rent, and 3. Pay down debt that has accrued during my layoff.

I’m also in school finishing my degree in Cybersecurity. School comes with it’s own stressors, especially when you work overnight shifts most days, but I’m hoping that with your help housing doesn’t have to become a bigger stressor than it has been.

I am very grateful to all who are able and willing to help me reach my goal of $2400. Your help will allow me to finish my degree and continue my job search as I navigate the difficulties of recent tech layoffs.