Update - August 3

Hi folks,

Thank you for your donations and shares!

We made it. Just barely: I paid off the overdue bill using my grocery money for the month.

So, I am going to leave the gofundme open for a few days.

We need groceries.

If you’re local to Ottawa/Gatineau: I am selling organic indoor Dwarf Cherry Tomato

And Herb planters. We only have the large size left (16” diameter) for $30

Yes, you can grow cherry tomatoes indoors! It’s one of the few varieties that will thrive indoors.

The Dwarf Cherry Tomatoe plants will get a bit bigger: 12-15” in height, 7” diameter.

Each pot has been fed worm castings. Each pot has Mint. And all but one pot have Basil. There is one special pot with Thyme.

Kiddo is also selling hand rolled breeswax candles. $15 per pair. They come wrapped in tissue paper.

50% of the profits go towards our groceries and other necessities. 50% of the profits go towards kiddos’s sewing and STEM projects.

And like I said, free delivery in Ottawa/Gatineau.

Send me a message through gofundme or my ig @lenzthewriter

Update - July 28

Hi Folks,

Thank you to all those who have sent funds!

And for the shares!

We’ve got 3 days left and we need to raise $1255!

I tried selling some herb and tomato gardens at a recent market, but they didn’t sell too well. I barely made a profit.

If you’re in Ottawa and are interested, please send me a message!

Otherwise, please direct message some folks with means and ask them to contribute!

Thank you!

Update - June 30

Hi Folks,

It’s been awhile since I have posted an update.

Just been hanging on with the return to work.

I am still only able to work 7-11 hours per week, so it isn’t helping much.

Meanwhile, my attempt at chipping away at that last utility bill hasn’t been enough.

I now owe $2000 and have to provide it by July 31! They are threatening legal action in addition to cutting off the utility! No more payment plans.

Please share this gofundme and if you can, please message some folks directly asking them to contribute.

Thank you for being awesome!

Update- Jan 28

Thank you for your support! I am slowly chipping away at the last overdue utility.

We need to get to $1, 400 by Jan 31 to keep the utility on!

That’s $215 away!

Then, I have to come up with the rest by Feb 21.

Please keep messaging folks if you can.

Sharing isn't doing anything.

A simple note like this works: "Please donate to keep the utilities on for this brown trans family."

Here's the link again for ease: www.gofundme.com/f/lenzk

Thank you for being awesome!

****

Hi! My name is Lenz. I am trans, racialized and disabled. I am currently unable to work. And I am a single parent without any family or child support. My Kiddo is also racialized, trans, and disabled.

I am asking for URGENT and IMMEDIATE support for overdue utilities and also for food security.

I received notifications today that if I don't pay my utilities arrears with in ONE WEEK (by Dec 22), my utilities will be cut off.

I have been trying to stick with payment arrangements for overdue utilities but have barely been able to make any payments and instead have accumulated further arrears.

I have already reached out to local organizations for help with the overdue utilities, but they have not been able to help with the full amount.

I haven't been able to work for 4 years due to disabilities and multiple medical crises. Both my child and I also have disabilities due to medical malpractice, including assault by doctors.

I am hoping to return back to work for a few hours per week at the end of January/beginning of February 2024. However, the increase in hours will be gradual and limited due to my disabilities. 

My return to work has already been delayed because I am constantly battling malnourishment due to food insecurity. I am just not able to create enough capacity. And it doesn't help that we both have so many allergies: food is extra expensive for us and food banks can barely help us.

It's a cycle where going back to work would help with food and housing security, but I don't have enough funds to get well.

I am hoping that by the end of February, I will be able to work enough hours to not need mutual aid at all.

My child also has been unable to return to school due disabilities and severe PTSD, after being assaulted and harassed at school by teachers and admin .

She's finally in a place where she can even contemplate school, even if it's just a couple of hours per day to start. She needs trans affirming gear, especially so she can go stealth and stay safe.

Funds raised will go towards:

Overdue utilties             $2500

Winter gear for me and Kiddo   $200

Trans affirming gear for Kiddo   $250

School shoes for Kiddo        $100

Work clothes for me           $100

Allergen friendly food for Dec/Jan/Feb

We’re receiving disability payments but they only cover our housing and not utilities or food.

Food banks also aren’t as helpful as we have many food allergies, and they do not provide substitutions. Food banks also limit access to once per month.

I am not on social media because we have stalkers. Thank you to the lovely care pod for supporting us! If you have any questions, please reach out to @naaashitaaa on ig.

Mutual aid is a way of directly caring for community members and seeing people, instead of solely relying on organizations who often cause considerable more harm for very little support. And provide more systemic barriers (eg: names on documents not matching, racism, threats of child protective services/children’s aid society for having a trans child etc).

Thank you for reading and supporting us as we keep working towards stability! And thank you for being awesome!