My name is Robin Ann Appleton and I'm currently homeless in El Paso, Texas, at the Salvation Army Family Center on 4300 East Pisano St, El Paso, TX.

I was scheduled to move in with friends the day before Thanksgiving here in El Paso, TX, and they never showed up, leaving me on the doorstep of an apartment here in El Paso, TX, that would never be opened.

So, my journey here in homeless Ville began the day before Thanksgiving of this year, and I'm currently seasonal temporary as a bell ringer and sheltered at the Salvation Army Family Center.

I have many dreams. One of them was to attend NMSU in Las Cruces, NM. I was accepted in April 2025 to the Digital Film AA Program at Cholla Hall at NMSU. But alas, the Student Center at the Pan Am at NMSU found $8,873 in created debt in the system, which, even though I was accepted to the program, denies me the ability to register for classes or actually attend until the debt is totally cleared from the system at NMSU Main Campus, Las Cruces, NM.

I currently make $967.00 a month, which is basically around $7,800.00 a year. I'm on EBT, classified as homeless in a shelter by the state of Texas. That's a HUGE debt for someone in my situation.

I work seasonal temporary as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army here in El Paso, TX, and with many medical problems, including Crohn's Disease and Asperger's Syndrome, people sometimes greet me by saying, "I smelled you before I saw you."

It's definitely an issue to work on....

I love photography, particularly 35mm photography, and my dream is to attend film school. I moved from the East Coast to the West at the age of 25 years old in 1993. I'm still here 32 years later, never making more than $10,000.00 a year. Now I'm 57, almost 58 years old, born March 26, 1968.

My family is mostly passed. My chief supporters, Marjorie Appleton, William Appleton, and Sandra Ruth Tredway Appleton, are all long gone.

I have dreams and aspirations like any human being, and my biggest dream is to attend a film program.

Previous to moving West, I attended Harvard Night School, Merrimack College, and New School for Social Research NYC.

I'm currently in the Family Shelter working as a Bell Ringer for the Salvation Army, seasonal temporary part-time, and I've applied to Circle K, DD Discounts, and Ross Dept. Stores.

I'd like some help with my dreams and aspirations this Chanukah and Christmas season.

Thanks,

Robin Ann Appleton