Emergency Expenses
Donation protected
In trouble and need your help please. So many kind people, friends, family and strangers have helped me. I wish I could say things were better, but I'm not out of the woods yet. Within the next couple of days I am about to lose my apartment because I cannot pay the August 2016 rent. I need $900 immediately and have no one I can really ask for this help. If you can help, still trying to get on my feet and still need assistance. Thank you so much in advance for anything you can do and sending love to all who have helped. Thank you.
My name is Sherry. I am 55 years old and I live in Victoria, BC. A week ago I tried to take my own life. I was not successful. As my dearest friend told me afterwards, when we go is not up to us! I know she is right! Why I was left here, I do not know, but I do intend to stay and find out! My beloved siamese Zeus of 14 years just died, he joins his lifelong buddy Sapphire (who died just under 2 years ago). I did not really want to die, and especially I did not want to hurt those that love me, I felt I was out of (financial) options and time. I had left a unbearable job at the end of November 2015 (though still giving them 2 weeks notice). Previous to that I had been laid off and it took 9 months of very hard work just to get an interview and get my last job. Shortly after I started working, they acquired another company and we were already looking for an additional admin assistant. Although discussed off and on during my time there, no additional help was ever hired. Spread far too thin and under constant stress which I could no longer bear, I stayed for as long as I could, a year and eight months. During this time I tried to find another job, but with no luck. Although I have good marketable secretarial skills, the market is very tough here and my age is a barrier. Once I left work, I saved what I could of my last pay cheque to pay my January rent. I sold my stamp collection worth hundreds for $35 to buy food. I have tried to raise some money selling my DVD's, but Blu-ray and downloading has made them almost worthless, so I have no hope of raising the money I need. As I am writing this, my phone, internet and cable (which are bundled together) have been turned off due to non-payment. I access internet at the library now. My hydro was slated for disconnection January 29, 2016, and I expect an eviction notice any day now because I cannot pay my February rent. My bank account is at minus -$90 because my apartment insurance and rent did not go through. I tried to file for emergency assistance from Welfare. Two-thirds of the way through the on-line application I was advised I did not qualify because "I was not at my last job for at least two years", but I could complete the application and file anyway. I did so, there was little choice. At the Welfare office I waited an additional hour to finally speak to a person who told me that my application would be seen by someone remotely and they "might" call me within a week, due to the urgency. The summary of my application promised by email was never sent to me. I have a cell phone with a $15 pay-as-you-go card (it has less on it now) for emergencies, in case they do call. Everything is done by computer now and I seem to be no more than a faceless number to them! I have a doctor's note that I have depression, and so will find out how to file for Medical EI in the next day. I do not know if this application will be successful, or if so, when any financial assistance might come or for how long. I am a very independent person and, I guess you could say, a loner. I have worked and supported myself since the age of 16, but since my unsuccessful attempt, I realized I needed to reach out to my friends and family and I have done that. I have their love and emotional support, they have bought me some food, but cannot pay my bills, which is why I felt I could not ask for their help in the first place. Though this is very difficult for me to do, I am telling my story now, in the hopes that some kind soul who has the means might help me to pay my rent, hydro, phone and food until I can get some assistance in place and until I can work again. This Gofundme campaign indicates that I must specify an amount, and so I have. What I really need immediately is about $2,000, and I have indicated up to $5,000 to cover the next couple of months. Thank you to anyone and everyone who feels touched by my situation and can offer any help. Your kind assistance will mean more than you can know, as I work to get my life back in order. As soon as my financial needs are met, I will end this campaign. Should there be anything which is over and above what I need, I will re-donate it. My heartfelt appreciation goes out to you for taking the time to read my story and for your amazing kindness! Thank you so much!
My name is Sherry. I am 55 years old and I live in Victoria, BC. A week ago I tried to take my own life. I was not successful. As my dearest friend told me afterwards, when we go is not up to us! I know she is right! Why I was left here, I do not know, but I do intend to stay and find out! My beloved siamese Zeus of 14 years just died, he joins his lifelong buddy Sapphire (who died just under 2 years ago). I did not really want to die, and especially I did not want to hurt those that love me, I felt I was out of (financial) options and time. I had left a unbearable job at the end of November 2015 (though still giving them 2 weeks notice). Previous to that I had been laid off and it took 9 months of very hard work just to get an interview and get my last job. Shortly after I started working, they acquired another company and we were already looking for an additional admin assistant. Although discussed off and on during my time there, no additional help was ever hired. Spread far too thin and under constant stress which I could no longer bear, I stayed for as long as I could, a year and eight months. During this time I tried to find another job, but with no luck. Although I have good marketable secretarial skills, the market is very tough here and my age is a barrier. Once I left work, I saved what I could of my last pay cheque to pay my January rent. I sold my stamp collection worth hundreds for $35 to buy food. I have tried to raise some money selling my DVD's, but Blu-ray and downloading has made them almost worthless, so I have no hope of raising the money I need. As I am writing this, my phone, internet and cable (which are bundled together) have been turned off due to non-payment. I access internet at the library now. My hydro was slated for disconnection January 29, 2016, and I expect an eviction notice any day now because I cannot pay my February rent. My bank account is at minus -$90 because my apartment insurance and rent did not go through. I tried to file for emergency assistance from Welfare. Two-thirds of the way through the on-line application I was advised I did not qualify because "I was not at my last job for at least two years", but I could complete the application and file anyway. I did so, there was little choice. At the Welfare office I waited an additional hour to finally speak to a person who told me that my application would be seen by someone remotely and they "might" call me within a week, due to the urgency. The summary of my application promised by email was never sent to me. I have a cell phone with a $15 pay-as-you-go card (it has less on it now) for emergencies, in case they do call. Everything is done by computer now and I seem to be no more than a faceless number to them! I have a doctor's note that I have depression, and so will find out how to file for Medical EI in the next day. I do not know if this application will be successful, or if so, when any financial assistance might come or for how long. I am a very independent person and, I guess you could say, a loner. I have worked and supported myself since the age of 16, but since my unsuccessful attempt, I realized I needed to reach out to my friends and family and I have done that. I have their love and emotional support, they have bought me some food, but cannot pay my bills, which is why I felt I could not ask for their help in the first place. Though this is very difficult for me to do, I am telling my story now, in the hopes that some kind soul who has the means might help me to pay my rent, hydro, phone and food until I can get some assistance in place and until I can work again. This Gofundme campaign indicates that I must specify an amount, and so I have. What I really need immediately is about $2,000, and I have indicated up to $5,000 to cover the next couple of months. Thank you to anyone and everyone who feels touched by my situation and can offer any help. Your kind assistance will mean more than you can know, as I work to get my life back in order. As soon as my financial needs are met, I will end this campaign. Should there be anything which is over and above what I need, I will re-donate it. My heartfelt appreciation goes out to you for taking the time to read my story and for your amazing kindness! Thank you so much!
Organizer
Sherry Batty
Organizer
Victoria, BC