My name is Bob Shimmin and I am sharing this GoFundMe page with the people I've had the privilege to call my friends over the first 57 years of my life.

Many of you know that asking for help is not something that comes easily to me. It's in my nature to do whatever is possible to help others in need and I was raised in a household where we celebrated successes but suppressed failures as they were shameful and reflected poorly on me and my family. It is this belief system that led to some of the wonderful successes in my life. It is also the reason that writing this is very difficult as I attempt to rebuild the pieces of my shattered life.

In January, 2022, I was arrested in my Addison, TX, apartment for selling drugs. In the years leading up to that event I struggled with addiction and sought out help including inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, counseling, seeking a spiritual community at Cathedral of Hope, pursuing physically healthy behaviors such as distance running, and through the emotional support of, and connection with, friends. Recovery has always been elusive for me. Over a period of the last 30 years, I've enjoyed stretches of sobriety as long as 5 years but inevitably, and usually at the most self-destructive time, relapse sneaks up on me. That was the case in 2018 as I struggled to cope with the passing of my mom, the ending of my 4-year relationship with Ramon, and coping with a persistent skin infection that antibiotics would not resolve. It was at this time that my life became very dark and unrecognizable. As the blur of 2018 came to a close, I sought a reset by flying to California on New Years Eve and entered 30 day rehab program. Treatment was a great experience and I returned home to Dallas equipped with optimism and an eagerness to start a new chapter. However, recovery was relatively short lived, and before the end of 2019, relapse returned as optimism was replaced by shame and guilt.

Any remaining framework of a healthy lifestyle crumbled with the isolation imposed by the COVID pandemic. Additionally, the bacterial skin infection that would not resolve caused me to be self-conscious of my appearance and magnified the isolation. My workplace had shut down, my church community was now virtual, and my struggles became seemingly unmanageable.

The arrest was my first introduction to the criminal justice system. With nothing more than a traffic ticket for 57 years, I was ill-prepared for the 5 weeks at Dallas County jail as I sought to get released on bond. During the last 18 months of pretrial release with a GPS ankle monitor and random drug screening I'm had a lot of time to reflect on how privileged my live had been. So much taken for granted. Thankfully, in June of this year, my sentencing was finalized with a plea to 4 felony charges resulting in 5-years probation with deferred adjudication.

It was at that same time that life threw me a curveball. I lost my job with almost no financial reserve. It was an administrative job at 7-Eleven corporate working in food & beverage that I enjoyed very much. Opportunities for people in my situation are scarce but I was optimistic I would be able to find something quickly to cover my very limited monthly expenses.. And, sure enough, after 2 weeks I had two job offers that were each contingent on completion of a background check. I was comforted by the fact that both employers knew my legal situation and had confirmed The background check content would not block my hiring.

However, as of today, it has been 5 weeks and the background check remains incomplete due to a processing delay at the Dallas County courts. Typically background reports are complete in 2 to 5 days. County clerks previously said my data would be delayed until August 18th but it's now a week past that date without resolution. Since becoming unemployed, I've been earning a small amount of money by working gig jobs such as shifts at Circle K putting merchandise on the shelves and cleaning the gas pumps and other exterior areas of the store. That pays $11/hour in 4-hour shift. Also last Sunday, I worked at AT&T Stadium as a stagehand assisting in the teardown of the staging for the Metallica concert. I have 2 more stagehand gigs this week and the $20/hour is alright but it is hard work in the overnight hours.

I am optimistic that the background check will be completed in the next couple days and I'll be working full-time within a week. But I am at a critical crossroads because am completely broke and my rent, car payment, and auto insurance premium are all due in a week with my next payday at least 2-3 weeks out. Since my arrest, my sister has prevented me from having any communication with my dad and asked me not to attempt to contact her or him. An email requesting a loan for my legal expenses received a response that she will pray for me. I am fearful that if my auto insurance lapses and I miss this car payment I'm going to find myself without a vehicle. And the lack of transportation leads to expensive or time consuming commutes.

This is very difficult but I'm seeking to raise $2,000 from friends to help me through this challenging time. Any amount is greatly appreciated. I understand that times are difficult for some of you as well. In that case, please do not make your own situation worse by giving to me. But if you have the means I would greatly appreciate your consideration and help. Thank you and thanks for taking the time to read this.

Respectfully,

Bob