Help Bobbi Ennis get back on their feet

Hello, my name is Bobbi Ennis. Some of you may know me as Cailin. Both are true, but Bobbi is how I identify currently. I am 27 years old and have been living with one of my best friends in LA since August 2021. I moved here to help myself transition out of being a career caretaker, including finishing my Bachelor's Degree. Today though, I find myself in a position where I need to ask for community support.

On January 5th, 2023, my brother Jason passed away. This was a slow departure starting in October 2022. He was hospitalized on October 8th following an aspiration. He remained at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center until December 12th 2022, where he was able to be at his home in Hospice care until he was ready to go.

Prior to Jason falling ill in October, I lost a dear friend from high school over the summer, and an uncle two days after. Grief had struck, and while many beautiful things also happened in 2022, this grief has affected my ability to work and remain financially stable. I was already struggling when October came, I then flew back to New Hampshire from Los Angeles to be with my family for 10 days. (Those 10 days with no income is something I have not been able to make up for financially, even three months later.) I then made the hard decision to say goodbye to Jason and my family, knowing it would likely be the last time I saw them before he died. My going back though meant I could continue working, lessening the inevitable financial burden on my family.

I have struggled to continue working full-time as a caretaker, as many of you already know, I have been a nanny for 15+ years. In June 2022 I began the process of applying for schools to finish my Bachelor's Degree. Since I was then a resident of California, my schooling became very affordable. I am scheduled to begin classes on January 23, 2023 at California State University LA. I am scheduled to be a 12-15 credit full-time student so as to avoid my nearly $1k/month student loan payments (I cannot consolidate them until I have finished my degree.)

These funds will allow me to catch up on bills and obligations that have fallen behind since October. This includes rent, health insurance, credit cards and various other challenges that have come up. The majority of my stabilization up to this point has been on the generosity of my community of friends, primarily Queer and/or POC under the age of 35. Without their love, shelter and support, I would not be okay.

If gathered, these funds will allow me to catch up on:

Jan/Feb Rent and billls ($1,750)

Health Insurance ($2,307)

Credit Card Since November ($1,000)

Car Payment Dec-Feb ($750)

Car Insurance ($282.48)

Car Tires ($720)

Flight home for memorial service (estimated $800-$1,000)

These are some examples of how these funds would be delegated to restabilize my finances to the point of allowing me to finish my degree. With my bills caught up to the present, I can move forward with the current semester independently. Upon finishing my schooling (projected Spring 2025) I will have the option to consolidate my student debt, and firmly transition into a new career that does not require caretaking. I no longer have the mental or emotional capacity to be the quality caretaker children deserve while under my care.

My background in caretaking began by learning how to help care for Jason as a child. My family members are each caretakers in their own right, and none of them can afford the time they need to grieve and heal either. Our lives have centered, lovingly, around Jason's quality of life for 22 years. Now, the very fabric of our family has been altered. Please help me get back on my feet so that I can have time to grieve and take care of myself and my family through this transition. My stability is one of the best ways I can help my own family.

To all who helped me get home in October to see my family, thank you so much. It was precious time that I do not take for granted. This goal would also include helping me fly home for Jason's services that we need to delay until May/June 2023.