Lauren needs support with all the things in all the land.

If you have been following along with my Facebook posts, things just keep getting more dire. A few friends in different states told me to start this despite my feeling that nobody has extra funds because so many are dealing with crisis after crisis from hurricanes and any other thing.

Most recently, as in - in the last few hours, I discovered that my passport expired and so it might not be acceptable for proof of citizenship when applying for emergency assistance from the city or state or anywhere else. The application fee for passport renewal is $130 and that was the moment I knew that I had to start a GoFundMe. How can I possibly cover that when my phone bill is coming up soon and my storage is 4 months past due ...

But also, finding an apartment is impossible without a job and I have been job hunting since March. The employment coordinator I was working with seems to have forgotten about me. Getting approved for a spot in a shelter can take 21 days. Thankfully, I have SNAP and medicaid.

There have been little dribbles of work... pet sitting or random odd jobs or whatnot. But nothing consistent.

I have applied to CUNY, assuming I get accepted for Spring 2025, that is my plan. But that wouldn't start before January at the soonest. One of the big obstacles seems to be that I have an Associate degree and not a BFA. I have wanted the BFA for a long time, 25 years probably or more.

I could ramble on for days. But that isn't why you are here.

1) pay my phone bill

2) pay off my storage so I am able to get my stuff when I am more stable

3) renew passport

4) trying to renew other certifications that I was trying to do in August when I ended up in the hospital

5) housing (looking at maybe airbnb or a hotel until shelter opens)

6) metrocard ( I do have a reduced price card, but I still have to pay)

7) anything and everything else

UPDATE: My current donation amount will take my current balance for my phone bill to ZERO. It hasn't been there in months. I am thankful for payment plans.