In Desperate need of Support

Dear friends and family,

Happy New Year! I pray this note finds you and your families safe and well.

I am writing to you now with utter embarrassment and out of sheer desperation. I have unfortunately found myself in a challenging and toxic situation that I need to get out of immediately. I still live in California, in the Bay Area, specifically in Vallejo, just 20 minutes north of Oakland, CA. Today is my birthday, and I am sitting in a motel room writing this note to you to ask for your help because I am desperate and have to swallow my pride. I need to leave California and get back to the East Coast, anywhere closer to my trustworthy network of friends and family.

I am broke, alone, and have no local friends who can help. All the closest people I know have relocated out of state. I am currently on medical leave with a much-needed surgery scheduled for January 23rd. While my intention was to try to stick it out and wait to have the surgery and use my 6-week recovery to continue to plan my relocation sometime at the end of March, it has come to the point that my current living situation is detrimental to my health and I must get out immediately for the sake of my mental, emotional, and physical health. The surgery will have to wait.

Since I am on medical leave, I receive a check (less than regular pay) every two weeks to live off. At the moment, I do not have enough money to rent a sublet from now through my 6-week recovery period (mid-March), which was my original plan. I have just enough for a plane ticket out of California but not enough for a place to stay as I situate myself and get back on my feet. I'm in desperate need of a safe place to stay.

I am actively applying for jobs in various locations throughout the US. I have some preliminary interviews for remote work this coming week. The hard part regarding applying for work under the circumstances is that I do not know where I am going or where I will be living. I have already contacted all the local shelters for battered women and hospitals/programs for recovering addicts in need of temporary housing. Unfortunately, every single one is at full capacity. At the moment I am safe and have shelter until Monday.

I should mention that a number of individuals have been spreading lies about me to discredit me and further alienate other closest people to me so that they won't help. More specifically to protect themselves from the truth. Suffice it to say that the lies and manipulation go so deep that I cannot return to what was once the safe haven of my grandmother's home in Manhattan. If you have heard or are being told by ANYONE that I am drinking or on drugs (prescribed or not), or involved in any questionable activity that might make you second guess my truth and the seriousness of my situation, please do not believe it. While the fact is that I am a recovering alcoholic, I have been sober now for almost a year and a half and counting. I am clean, have no desire to drink, and can prove it if in need be. More than ever, I need someone I can trust and who can trust, believe and support me through this. I would never send a message like this unless it was my last resort.

Of the things I need support with and where the funds I am asking for will go:

1. Financial assistance to help with food, housing, transportation, essentials, etc.

I will keep receipts and a spreadsheet and share it with those who help in this regard, as I plan to pay every penny back in full once I am working again. THAT IS MY WORD!

2. Food: a food card, food order, etc.

I will keep receipts and detail in spreadsheet and pay this back as well.

3. A place to crash short-term (even if for one night) in the Bay Area until I can fly out or anywhere on the East Coast closer to NYC.

I am open to anything and working out an appropriate/affordable pay arrangement.

3. A message to your network of friends and family who may have a housing or job situation that might suit my situation.

Ideas and suggestions are always helpful and appreciated for things I have yet to consider.

4. Prayers, notes of support, laughter, and anything to help keep my spirits up.

I'm am emotionally spent, alone, and suicidal ideation is beginning to seep in especially not having anyone trustworthy I can lean on, talk to, or give me a hug.

If you want to contact me, please respond to this email, and I will send you a secure phone number to reach me. I know you may have many questions, which I am open to answering.

This message is being sent only to ask for help. I guarantee that the reasons behind my situation will in no way affect anyone helping me.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Humbly and Sincerely,

Tania Bruno