Hi, my name is Ele. I’ve reached a point I never thought I’d be in—facing eviction with nowhere to go, no income, and no safety net left.

I’ve exhausted every personal option. My savings are gone. I’ve sold belongings. I’ve done everything I can to stay afloat, but I’m out of time.

In 2024, I was working for a small nonprofit in Orange County, California. I took the job as a last resort—it wasn’t ideal, but it allowed me to work while caring for my mom, who was dying of cancer. I had previously helped her get the job years ago, and over time, she became second in command. But last year, the organization’s leader passed away. Then, my mom died too.

After she passed, I was the only one left. I continued working. The remaining board members—who weren’t staff—promised I’d be paid at the end of the year. But when the year ended, there was nothing. The organization had dissolved. There were no assets. No pay. No backup. Just silence and debt.

Since then, I’ve tried everything to survive. I’m applying for jobs, freelancing, selling what I can. But I’m now over two months behind on rent, and if I can’t come up with the money in the next few days, I will be evicted.

This is an emergency. I don’t have another place to go. I’ve lost every immediate family member I had—my mom was the last. Outside of an aunt and uncle who live out of state, I’m alone in this. I’ve been doing my best to keep my head above water while pushing through the grief, but the truth is: I haven’t even had space to grieve. I’m just trying to survive.

And it’s scary to be trans in America right now—especially without stable housing. All I want is a chance to feel safe, secure, and to stabilize my life. I have some promising things beginning, but I need time to let them grow. What I don’t have is time to keep dodging crisis after crisis.

If you can help, I would be so grateful. Whether it’s a donation, a share, or just holding space for this story—you have no idea how much that means to me. I’ve carried so much of this quietly. But now I’m reaching out.

I’m tired. I’m trying. I just need a little help getting through this part.

With love and thanks,

—Ele