Hello Community,

Last month, someone crawled under my car and stole my catalytic converter.

The repair is $3k

Where the money goes: I spent time calling mechanics and exhaust shops across the East Bay and SF getting multiple quotes. The average came out to around $3,000 all in, parts and labor included. Catalytic converters are expensive to replace because the parts themselves contain precious metals, and the labor is specialized. I wanted you to know I did my homework before asking for help. 

A rough breakdown of what that covers: 

 ∙ Catalytic converter part: ~$1,500–2,000 depending on vehicle and sourcing 

 ∙ Labor: ~$500–800 at most shops

 ∙ Additional exhaust hardware/fittings: ~$100–200 Everything raised goes directly toward getting my car back on the road. 

I don't have a cushion for this. I'm a sound practitioner and artist who pieced together a life I'm genuinely proud of, and right now my life feels stalled in a limbo with this situation.

My car is how I get across the bridge to work in Marin at The Portal, how I get to gigs, to everything that makes my life function. Without it, I'm losing income on both ends while the bill sits there waiting.

Fortunately, my friend has been letting me borrow her car temporarily while she's away traveling, and I'm hoping to get back on the road ASAP.

If you know me, you know it's a practice in vulnerability to ask for support this way. So here I am, asking for support- in whatever amount feels aligned for you to share. It all goes directly toward getting me back on the road and back to my life.

Thank you for being the kind of community that makes asking feel possible.

- Joana