John Dowd (“Philly John” to those in the know) is a 72-year-old gentleman who has fallen on hard times due to ongoing chronic medical conditions. He continued working as long as he possibly could, until his doctors finally insisted he stop. As a result, he has been unable to work for the past year and a half and is now coming up short on his basic monthly living expenses.

A lifelong carpenter, John has spent decades helping others find work in the trades and supporting people in recovery. Today, he rents a small room in San Rafael without kitchen facilities and relies on less than $1,400 per month in Social Security benefits along with food stamps. Even after cutting every possible cost to the bare minimum, he still faces a significant monthly shortfall just to remain safely housed and meet essential needs. His savings are gone, and every available assistance program and social service has already been pursued.

John’s situation is ongoing, not temporary. What will help him most right now is reliable monthly support that he can count on to help cover rent, food, transportation, and basic essentials while he waits for long-term assistance options to open up. One-time donations are deeply appreciated, but if possible**monthly recurring gifts provide the steady lifeline he truly needs** to stay stable and secure.

John has quietly helped countless people throughout his life. If you’re able, please consider becoming a monthly supporter to help him maintain housing and dignity for the months ahead. Any amount, given monthly, will make a meaningful difference.