On August 31st, I’ll be moving. Because life threw me a curveball and now I’ve got no choice but to start over.

I’ve worked hard to get where I’m at. I’m full-time with Bend Parks & Rec as a Park Steward. I spend my days out in the parks, dealing with everything from unruly teens, displaced transients, tourists, and folks just needing a friendly face. I love what I do because it truly matters. It gives me a purpose. But even when you’re doing your best, life can put you flat on your back.

I just finished paying every bill I had to cover to keep my head above water this month. That left me with exactly $17 to put toward this move. No savings, no cushion, no backup plan. I’m walking into this next chapter with determination, but without some help, I’m doing it completely empty-handed.

This isn’t about wanting extras. It’s about keeping the lights on, putting food in the fridge, having gas in the tank, and making sure I’ve got what I need to stand on my own in a new place. Every single dollar will go toward:

First month’s rent & deposit

Gas to get my stuff moved

Groceries for the first couple weeks

A small buffer so I’m not choosing between gas and dinner

I’ve always been the one to push forward, to take care of what needs doing, and to be there for other people. But right now, I’m asking for help because I don’t want to just survive this move. I want to come out of it ready to keep building toward the life I’m aiming for.

If you can help, I’ll be forever grateful. If you can’t, sharing this with someone else could still change everything for me. Either way, just knowing people are in my corner matters more than I can put into words.

This is me turning the page. And if you’re reading this, you could be part of what’s written next.