Our Friend Mel Needs Support!

Melanie has been working her way through community college for several years and was recently accepted into San Francisco State for Fall 2022. She will be working toward a B.A. in Geography. On top of this accomplishment, Mel is also struggling through a sudden and challenging life transition. This has had an incredible impact on her well-being, which means she needs a new home & a fresh start -and luckily, she has found a new place to call home!

Mel is currently working on passing her final class at Merritt College to enter SF State this coming Fall. She is working 6-7 day work weeks and planning for a new future while managing feelings of grief, anxiety, and physical stress, which can be particularly dangerous due to an autoimmune condition she lives with. We know this lifestyle isn't unheard of and, sadly, is often necessary in the capitalist world that we live in, regardless of circumstances. Still, we also know that it isn't acceptable. Our friend can only take so much during these emotionally difficult times and shouldn't have to (even though she pretends otherwise). In addition, Melanie has shared that her grades are beginning to suffer, thus threatening her transfer status into SF State, which feels devastating as an older transfer student. She is SO CLOSE.

Mel needs relief and stability during these sensitive times of growth, change, and transition into a new life. These big life changes and pressures are a lot for one person to carry alone, and we know she would show up the same for loved ones, friends of friends, and strangers alike. So let’s show up for Mel and get her settled into a new chapter and home! Let’s provide all the support, empathy, and money we can.

Our goal is to raise $5000 to help Melanie cover the following expenses:

Two rent payments for April and one for May. Mel was lucky enough to have found something sooner than planned! She is living in her current home with housemates she loves dearly for the rest of April. We want to send her off to her new home with a solid start.

Moving Costs - Moving sucks…Oakland → SF without a vehicle...enough said.

There are anticipated additional costs that Mel will see living on her own after a significant life change and an adjustment period. So let’s keep her spirits high and stress levels low by helping with the financial support she needs during this chapter. Some costs will include first utility bills, help with Transbay commuting for the last couple of months of working long work weeks, household expenses. We also hope to keep Mel sustained with her regular therapy and acupuncture -which she had to give up over the last couple of months (this also keeps her IBD in check).

We all reach a point in our lives when we each need the support of our community. So this is a call to show up for someone who has always been a pillar for her friends, loved ones, and community.

Let this also be a friendly reminder that everyone needs help sometimes, and that’s okay. Let’s normalize asking for help. :)

Thank you,

JAM