Save Mike and Gizmo from Homelessness and Avoid Eviction

Hello everyone. My name is Mike and I really need some financial help. Normally I would never ask but things are dire. We are about to become homeless as my landlord is about to file the paperwork to begin the process of eviction. I am currently 4 months late on rent due to a few factors I’ve listed below.

To give some quick context, let me explain how I got here. In 2013, I left a very good sales job in Washington, DC to come back home to Pittsburgh and care for my terminally ill mother who suffered from multiple co-morbidities. I didn't know how long I'd be off from work but figured it would be roughly 6 months, to get her house sold (she still lived in our childhood home and couldn’t take care of it anymore or do the steps, etc.) and into a nice nursing home and return back to my life and career.

That never happened.

After seeing her condition, in good conscience, I couldn't leave her. I just couldn’t. What turned into a possible 6-month stay turned into 11 years of caring for her, 24/7, 365 days a year. I don’t want to use the word “stuck” because that sounds harsh, but that’s kind of what happened. I got stuck because there was no one else to care for her and I loved her dearly, so it was an easy choice but a sad one to make. It was just me with no help. Caretaking for a parent is really, really hard and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. My life stopped and was on hold. I lost friends and opportunities and ultimately ended up watching my life pass me by in those 11 years. She needed constant, round-the-clock care. Her list of illnesses is too sad and too long to list. My mom was the best and you all would have loved her! A sweet soul! Sadly, she couldn't do much if anything for herself physically (she was terribly crippled amongst other things). I dressed her, bathed her, gave medication, cooked, and cleaned for her. I took her to Dr. visits, and managed and made decisions for her major (many) operations and hospital stays, which were a common occurrence. I look back and take pride in knowing I was able to have her pass away at home right next to me. I really miss her.

She unfortunately passed 2.5 years ago and shortly after that, I lost the apartment we both shared. I was terribly distraught after losing her and fell into a deep depression and couldn’t work and truly needed some time to myself and to reflect on what I had just gone through. When you see your mom and care for her every day, you get really close, so her death broke me. After I lost the apartment we shared, I lived in my SUV for the past almost 2 years until I was able about 5 months ago to get a small, 400sft apartment in a 200yr old house (pictured) for me and my little dog, Gizmo. He is the love of my life and the most impressive thing in my life. He’s the last thing I have to remind me of my mom and I just adore him. This little apartment is just somewhere to rest our heads that wasn’t a cramped SUV. It is heaven. It’s all we need. Gizmo loves the little back yard the apartment has and it’s nice seeing Gizmo flourish again after so long living in our car. During those 2 years we lived in my SUV I worked but not in the same capacity and income as prior before I left DC and my good job. After her death I chose to drive for Lyft and Uber because I was still mourning her loss and wanted something not too stressful and kind of mindless because it was all I could really take at that moment mentally tbh. As anyone who drives on those platforms will tell you the job kills your car with all the wear and tear, the miles etc…. My car broke down about 4 months ago (luckily it lasted till we got into this little apartment) and I didn't, of course, have the money to fix it, so then it was repossessed. It was my sole way to earn money, so when it broke down, it was just a domino effect of losing the car, my income and now being behind on rent.

I have been looking for work for the past 4 months but I can't seem to find anything. Not sure if it's due to taking time off to care for my mom and is scaring off prospective employers, but it's been difficult to even get an interview which is surprising given my resume and work history. As I mentioned, I am 4 months late on rent and desperately need some help or Gizmo and I will be out on the streets. If we are evicted, we have absolutely no place to go and Gizmo shouldn’t have to suffer for my shortcomings. He’s suffered enough these past couple years and I want him to continue to be happy and healthy. I have no family left; my mom was the last of my family. I have no family of my own or significant other to lean on. I have no vehicle to live in like previously since it's now gone. Shelters are full and if they're not, they don't accept dogs (Gizmo is a little 8lb Pomeranian) and he is my only friend and I will not give him up. Also, shelters are filled with drug addicts, theft, and violence. I don't drink or do drugs and I will not go to a shelter, so I am really relying on you all. Relying on the kindness of strangers who can possibly relate to my situation and offer some help to a good person who has fallen on hard times as a result of trying to do the right thing.

Please, if you can help in any form or fashion, we would be forever grateful. Whether you can donate or share this campaign, it would mean the world to Gizmo and me.

Also, work-related, I have a very strong and proven sales background of many years. So if you know of anything or are a hiring manager, etc., I would love to speak to you. I’m not limited to sales either, I will take any job that can support both Gizmo and I. We don’t need a lot to live on at the moment, just a roof over our heads.

Thank you again for any and all help. It would truly save our lives.

PS. All monies raised will go towards back rent so Gizmo and I can stay in our home.

Forever Grateful,

-Michael & Gizmo