Recently Updated March 2024:

This is an update to the original Go Fund Me I started at the end of last year.

First, a HUGE thank you for helping me and Chief. The help and kind words truly have been overwhelming and humbling. It's very easy to isolate and think no one cares at all about you, but I am happy to say that I was proven wrong. Thank you again. I am forever grateful and appreciative. The $9,000.00 goal was reached and was used to its fullest. A full accounting of what transpired follows.

I apologize to have to ask yet again, but due to circumstances that have become untenable, I must. Through much thought and after so many years of trying, it's time to say goodbye to Palm Springs and make a move where more opportunity may be. I've tried everything possible to make this area work, and I feel my efforts and resources are best applied elsewhere. I'd rather not ask you to help me financially by staying in Palm Springs, yet ask you to help me fund my move to Las Vegas, Nevada. It's time to do something big. I've done a lot of thinking about this and it's time. I think it is the right thing to do based on research and discussions with others and will increase my chances of finding stable living and a job opportunity that aligns with my background in a shorter amount of time.

A brief summary of what has since transpired and what has led to this decision:

Chief has been receiving medical care for his on-going ear and eye issues and has made significant improvements. We had a set-back recently with his good eye being diagnosed with a scratch in his cornea and a slight infection which resulted in his eye swelling shut. This, in turn, has impaired his vision completely. He is on the proper meds and care for his "good" eye and his sight in that one eye is improving. He continues to be the best thing in my life and his spirit, unconditional love, and adaptability through these tough times has kept me motivated to keep moving in a positive direction.

I have been unable to secure any type of long term housing for me and Chief. I applied for and turned down for several affordable rentals. I recently realized I would need a co-signer on a lease to off-set my poor credit rating. As budgeted, the funds were used to pay for a Motel 6 room. The original goal basically was a three month projection (to me at the time worst case scenario) about staying at a Motel 6. We have been moving around to different Motel 6 properties based on pricing but it's not a long-term solution and has since become unrealistic because of the tourist seasonal increase in pricing.

Without a car, it makes the challenge here even greater. Uber is very expensive and the bus schedule and routes make getting around extremely time consuming.

The situation here in Coachella Valley in March and April with cheap accommodations is impacted now by it being tourist season and April being music festival month. Motel 6 is now beyond the scope of affordability. It has reached an average of $275 per night in March and over $400 a night in April. I've had to rent a car this past month to take us outside of this area on weekends when the prices spike up to areas such as Arcadia and Carson where Motel 6 rates are much more budget-friendly.

The interviews I have been on have yet to result in a job offer. I was told they were moving ahead with other candidates. I've got my resume out to now over 90 part-time and full-time job openings. However, when May 1st hits, this area becomes a ghost town. Low season (May 1 to October 1), due to the extreme heat, is beset with layoffs and businesses operating on skeleton crews making employment an even harder goal to achieve.

Your GFM help here will keep me moving forward to self-sufficiency.

I truly can't thank you enough for helping me and for caring so much. Having to write this and ask for help again is one of the most gut wrenching things to do. It eats away at my self-esteem. I am trying to keep a positive outlook on all of this because I don't want to get sucked into a dark place. Your help will make the move to Las Vegas, Nevada the success I feel it can be for both me and Chief. Thank you again. I am truly forever grateful and appreciate to each and every one of you. God bless you. Love, Roland and Chief.

December 2023 (original post)

My name is Roland and my bulldog's name is Chief. We live in Palm Springs and through a series of unfortunate events have found ourselves homeless, jobless, without a car, and almost hopeless. I am motivated to do this because I owe it to Chief to not give up completely. He has been my lifesaver for eight years no matter what challenges we face and I will not fail him. He is the center of my universe.

I continue to actively search for work, part-time and full-time, but it's taking much longer than anticipated. My retirement fund and savings have been depleted as tough times started in 2018. We were evicted in June 2023 from our apartment and have been homeless ever since living in various motels through the help of close friends that I have shared my plight with.

Quality of life with just the basics is what I am trying to maintain here. I have no family help and I am struggling with continual mental health issues that deepen as we enter the holidays. Faking "happy" makes it worse.

I am reaching out in the hopes that you can help make a difference by assisting with putting a roof over our heads and for the basics of living for the next few months as I continue to pursue full-time or part-time work. It takes about four months from an initial interview to a hire date. I have over 60 active open positions that I have sent my cover letter and resume to and continue to do so. A large percent of them never close the loop if the job has been filled or if I've interviewed (phone or in person) and never hear back or if the algorithm has simply put you in the "no" pile. Even part-time and p/t seasonal positions are scarce as this is a very "tourist" season environment and with almost 20 part-time jobs applied for, I've never heard back from anyone. The days of going into a business or seeing a NOW HIRING sign are over. And I don't have a car. It was stolen in March 2021 and recovered too vandalized to repair this past April 2023.

I have been working with and a part of many public agencies and, while they are well-intended, are not offering realistic help.

I will use these funds to keep us safe with a roof over our heads, get Chief to a long overdue vet visit as he needs to be seen for his eye infection, his ear infections plus he needs to be professionally groomed as his nails are too long and his folds and wrinkles need professional help. Also to keep us healthy getting the necessities such as dog food, sundries, and health care products not covered by food stamps, transportation (public and private), keeping my phone on and my storage unit costs, and any emergency that may arise.

I am a very private person and asking like this is the very last thing I ever wanted to do and never saw myself in need of doing until now.

Any help is help. Thank you in advance and know how greatly I appreciate anything you are able to share to get me back on my feet and out of this economic and mental depression that has challenged me for too long. God bless. XO Roland and Chief