There's a reason I call her Jen Toughcookie: she doesn't ask for help. So when she told me she needed support, I knew this was different. I'm sharing her story because she deserves support, and I believe in her. Please read what she's written and donate if you're able. Here's what she wrote:

"I’m asking for help, which isn't easy for me. But I've reached a critical point: I'm a month behind on rent, and my lease is up for renewal in April. If I can't catch up, I risk losing my housing entirely, and my credit situation means finding a new place would be nearly impossible. I can't do this alone, and I trust the people in my life enough to be honest about where I am.

For the past several years, I've been managing PSC, a chronic liver disease that has no cure. Recently my condition worsened, and I was hospitalized with dangerously high liver enzyme levels. That hospitalization became a turning point. It forced me to confront not just my physical health, but the substance abuse I've been struggling with alongside it.

I'm returning to the Realization Center, an outpatient program I've worked with before and trust. I'm not waiting until I have everything figured out. I'm going now, because I know that if I don't prioritize recovery, nothing else I try to fix will truly stay fixed.

What I need is stability while I do this work. Right now I'm facing medical bills I can't cover and trying to stay compliant with an IRS payment plan. I've sold most of what I could sell. I've exhausted the options I can manage on my own.

My goal of $7,500 will help me cover immediate needs while I focus on recovery:

If we exceed the goal, additional funds will go toward debt reduction and longer-term stability.

I'm not asking anyone to solve everything for me. I'm asking for enough runway to do the hard work of getting better. Any amount helps. So does sharing this with someone who might want to support me.

Thank you for believing that people can change. I intend to prove it."