Upon losing my apartment in a fire as a teenager in college, I moved back in with my abusive stepfather at the start of the pandemic. Now, at 24 years old, I’ve lost everything I regained and been unhoused for the past two months due to my stepfather’s abuse reaching the point where there was an attempt on my life.

I’ve tried law enforcement, countless non-profits, churches, DV hotline, 211, and called almost every shelter in my county with only one terribly unsafe one available through Social Services, whose negligence with paperwork has delayed the required emergency EBT and GA. I have no way to store food bank goods, no money left, or anywhere to stay in this cold, yet I still apply for work daily on Indeed at the library and walk dozens of miles daily seeking work and assistance.

As much as my stepfather and my familial enablers continue to torment me, I don’t want to die out here in this cold and give him what he wants. Without any government assistance as of two months of being out here, I know that if I can get at least a room or studio to rent soon, I can pay the rent with a minimum wage job, take advantage of food banks, and get basic necessities in the meantime. My willpower and motivation have brought me this far, and I will continue to fight for survival and a fresh start, or at least try. This only let me upload five photos, but redacted information is due to safety concerns and can be confirmed if needed. Thank you so much.