My Professional Profile
My name is Joan Ellis Burgos, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 10 years of experience in the field. I am also a published author and a scholar with a Master’s degree from the University of Tulsa. Currently, I work in Pittsburgh as a contract therapist, dedicated to serving those in underserved spaces, specifically the LGBTQ+ community and the Spanish-speaking community.
The Breaking Point: Choosing Life Over Abuse
Despite my professional standing, I am currently homeless. This was not a choice made lightly; it was a choice made to survive. I fled a living situation defined by hoarding, emotional abuse, and financial exploitation because I knew that staying would cost me my life.
I had a plan to utilize transitional housing, but I encountered a devastating systemic barrier: In Pittsburgh, transitional housing programs frequently exclude those with dogs. Because I refuse to abandon Riko, my Siberian Husky and constant companion, the system that was meant to catch me instead left me on the street.
The Current Crisis: A Tactical Pivot for Survival
When I first launched this fundraiser, my goal was to raise $2,900 for a permanent apartment deposit and pet fees. However, my situation reached a critical breaking point: I tested positive for COVID-19. Compounded by my asthma, staying in a volatile, smoke-filled environment became a direct threat to my physical survival.
I had to act immediately to save my life.
I have used the initial funds raised here to secure a quiet, smoke-free AirBnB in Pittsburgh. This sanctuary has allowed me to:
- Breathe and Recover: I finally have the clean air necessary to manage my COVID-19 and asthma symptoms.
- Maintain Professional Standards: I am now in a quiet space where I can complete my LPC credentialing and attend job interviews undisturbed.
- Stay Close to Necessities: This location is near the bus system and grocery stores, which are vital as I transition back into the workforce.
The Path Forward: Buying Time
The mission has evolved. While I still need permanent housing, I am now working with Roots, a local organization that helps find subsidized housing. I am approximately 2 to 3 months away from a permanent, stable home through this program.
My goal now is to buy the time I need to reach that finish line. I am currently facing a "pickled" financial situation due to a predatory rental scam that cost me $155. Paying back that stolen debt has left a gap in my rent for this month. Additionally, my food stamps (SNAP) do not renew until February 9, and I am currently out of food.
How You Can Help
I am a professional healer who is just a few weeks away from being fully self-sufficient again. I have a job interview this Tuesday and am finalizing my therapist credentials. I am asking for the funds to stay in this safe space and keep myself and Riko fed while I finish this journey.
$155 covers the immediate gap in my monthly rent caused by the scam.
Additional funds provide food security and "bridge" rent until my first paycheck or subsidized housing is ready.
If you cannot donate, please share this. I have spent my life being a pillar for others; I am now asking for the time and safety I need to heal so I can return to that work.
Thank you for your humanity and your support.
Organizer
