Keep Kotori Moving Along
Donation protected
Darling Friends and Fae,
Our fellow community member, Kotori, is trying to recover from a year of intense and expensive car challenges. To support his continued mobility and service, we are tapping into the community to transform the network of love around him into resources to carry him forward.
Some Backstory
Over the last 16 months Kotori has dealt with two (no-fault) car crashes (explained in detail below) that led to insurance totaling the vehicles for a fraction of their value and an attempted carjacking/theft while he was in the car. All of this has left him switching vehicles four times. It has burned through what reserves were there, both financially and emotionally. Dealing with this has taken months of time and energy and has taken a huge toll on his ability to work, engage with his community, and keep his spirit in a good place. The carjacking ended with two windows being smashed in his face, leaving him severely traumatized. Right as things were settling, a hit and run happened on the last day of 2019 and ended the decade on a terrible note. He has persevered through the disruption but it has taken a toll and has left him running on fumes.
Kotori has been at Groundswell for five years now. He is a core member of the project, a shining heart and soul, and part of the glue that holds this community together. He’s always looking out for those on the margins and brings his full heart to everyone he meets. He consistently makes himself available for people and offers his car to those with mobility needs to make gatherings more accessible to them. He helps people navigate how Groundswell can work for them and be for ALL of our community. As a land member, the day-to-day tasks of up-keeping the space, going on town runs, and doing outreach become fairly impossible without a vehicle. Much less trying to navigate living rurally as a trans* queermo with chronic pain and disability.
As of Now
Given that his main employment is at Groundswell, and the season in winter is slow, there hasn’t been many opportunities to gain back the resources he needs to move forward. While he was able to find a car that fits his needs and will keep its value over time, it did not come with funding that was sustainable. One of the points in choosing this particular car was that it's eligible to drive for Lyft/Uber, giving him another source of income. While this is in the works, the gap is still there, and urgent. This fundraiser is to cover what's been spent, close the debt, and make sure Kotori has solvency to move forward. It's a way to support a magical man we love and to let him know we’ve got his back. And, in turn, to help support those who hold a land that holds so much love for all of our community.
Further Details
In late 2018, a fender-bender he was not at fault for, caused his airbag to deploy. His insurance at the time decided that was sufficient reason to total the car. While he was paid out for it, the payout they gave him was a fraction of the cars actual value.
Then, in mid 2019, he was the target of an attempted carjacking/theft while in Oakland. Multiple windows were smashed out while he was inside. While he thankfully didn't suffer any injuries, it left him with lasting trauma and re-triggered old trauma. He was not able to work or fully engage for a couple months afterwards, leaving him with more car expenses and further in debt, right as Groundswells slow season started.
Finally, on the last day of 2019, a hit-and-run happened at a stop light, leaving the car barely drivable. Again, his insurance decided to total it, and again, only gave him a fraction of its value. Not having many options and in need of transport, he turned to debt in order to make up what was needed to get him moving again.
The money raised from this will go towards:
Vehicle debt: $4,000
Lost wages and time: $2,000
Gas/transit debt: $400
Medical/Prescriptions: $600
Any money raised above the goal will go towards a travel fund for POC folx to get to gatherings at Groundswell.
Our fellow community member, Kotori, is trying to recover from a year of intense and expensive car challenges. To support his continued mobility and service, we are tapping into the community to transform the network of love around him into resources to carry him forward.
Some Backstory
Over the last 16 months Kotori has dealt with two (no-fault) car crashes (explained in detail below) that led to insurance totaling the vehicles for a fraction of their value and an attempted carjacking/theft while he was in the car. All of this has left him switching vehicles four times. It has burned through what reserves were there, both financially and emotionally. Dealing with this has taken months of time and energy and has taken a huge toll on his ability to work, engage with his community, and keep his spirit in a good place. The carjacking ended with two windows being smashed in his face, leaving him severely traumatized. Right as things were settling, a hit and run happened on the last day of 2019 and ended the decade on a terrible note. He has persevered through the disruption but it has taken a toll and has left him running on fumes.
Kotori has been at Groundswell for five years now. He is a core member of the project, a shining heart and soul, and part of the glue that holds this community together. He’s always looking out for those on the margins and brings his full heart to everyone he meets. He consistently makes himself available for people and offers his car to those with mobility needs to make gatherings more accessible to them. He helps people navigate how Groundswell can work for them and be for ALL of our community. As a land member, the day-to-day tasks of up-keeping the space, going on town runs, and doing outreach become fairly impossible without a vehicle. Much less trying to navigate living rurally as a trans* queermo with chronic pain and disability.
As of Now
Given that his main employment is at Groundswell, and the season in winter is slow, there hasn’t been many opportunities to gain back the resources he needs to move forward. While he was able to find a car that fits his needs and will keep its value over time, it did not come with funding that was sustainable. One of the points in choosing this particular car was that it's eligible to drive for Lyft/Uber, giving him another source of income. While this is in the works, the gap is still there, and urgent. This fundraiser is to cover what's been spent, close the debt, and make sure Kotori has solvency to move forward. It's a way to support a magical man we love and to let him know we’ve got his back. And, in turn, to help support those who hold a land that holds so much love for all of our community.
Further Details
In late 2018, a fender-bender he was not at fault for, caused his airbag to deploy. His insurance at the time decided that was sufficient reason to total the car. While he was paid out for it, the payout they gave him was a fraction of the cars actual value.
Then, in mid 2019, he was the target of an attempted carjacking/theft while in Oakland. Multiple windows were smashed out while he was inside. While he thankfully didn't suffer any injuries, it left him with lasting trauma and re-triggered old trauma. He was not able to work or fully engage for a couple months afterwards, leaving him with more car expenses and further in debt, right as Groundswells slow season started.
Finally, on the last day of 2019, a hit-and-run happened at a stop light, leaving the car barely drivable. Again, his insurance decided to total it, and again, only gave him a fraction of its value. Not having many options and in need of transport, he turned to debt in order to make up what was needed to get him moving again.
The money raised from this will go towards:
Vehicle debt: $4,000
Lost wages and time: $2,000
Gas/transit debt: $400
Medical/Prescriptions: $600
Any money raised above the goal will go towards a travel fund for POC folx to get to gatherings at Groundswell.
Organizer
Jes Vee
Organizer
Cooley Ranch Road, CA
