Hi everyone,

I’m sharing this with some vulnerability, but also a lot of clarity around what we need right now.

Over the past few months, our apartment has had ongoing issues with water intrusion, mold, and structural damage that we repeatedly reported. On March 26th, that situation escalated to the point that our bedroom ceiling collapsed while we were inside the unit. Thankfully, we were not physically injured, but it made the space immediately unsafe and unlivable.

We are now displaced and trying to figure out the next steps.

We are currently acquiring legal support to assess for compensation for what has happened. However, that process will take time, and in the meantime, we are facing very real, immediate costs to secure a new place to live.

As a graduate student working part-time, I don’t have the financial ability to front:

first month’s rent

security deposit

application fees

replace damaged belongings due to mold and water damage

professional movers (we don’t have the capacity to physically move everything ourselves while balancing full-time grad school and work)

along with having to continue to pay rent at our current residence without being able to live there (until we can get the legal right to stop paying rent there)

All at once, especially on such short notice, has left me feeling deep financial stress and insecurity about what is needed up front to stabilize a new place for Calleigh and me.

We’ve had so many people reach out asking how they can support us, and this feels like the most direct and helpful way to receive that support so we can get into stable housing as soon as possible.

Our goal of $6,500 reflects the real upfront costs of:

securing a new apartment

hiring movers

covering immediate transition expenses

stabilizing while we navigate the legal process

loss of finances due to missing work

future medical assessments

If you feel called to contribute, it would go directly toward helping us:

move quickly into safe, stable housing

reduce the immediate financial strain of displacement

allow us to focus on school, work, and healing

I also want to be fully transparent:

while we are exploring legal options we do not know:

How much that will be

How long it will take

or when funds would become available

Because of that, I want to offer this:

If/when we do receive compensation, I am open to reimbursing those who would like to be repaid. This is simply an option I want to make available transparently. And I will circle back to all donors to ask if you would like to be reimbursed.

If you’d prefer your contribution to be a gift, that is deeply appreciated as well.

Even if you’re not able to donate, sharing this or just being in support means a lot.

Thank you for showing up for us during a really stressful and disorienting moment. It means more than I can put into words.

With gratitude,

Fern & Calleigh