Support Max and Nicole's Journey Home
Donation protected
In August, we moved with our large pack of dogs from WA to SC under the promise of a safe place to live and a job taking care of a kennel. We’ve been stranded without a vehicle in a rural area since then, unable to get jobs or income - and the things we were promised were not given. We have been surviving on food stamps and a small amount of cash and mutual aid.
Since we got here, we have been trying to plan an exit and get income so we could leave as soon as possible, because our landlord has shown herself to be unsafe.
Today, she gave us 13 days to vacate and is offering a U-Haul to Washington and some assistance in the form of gas cards. It isn’t enough to get across, and won’t cover food or a place to stay or shower. She refuses to offer us anything else and after name-calling and verbally abusing us, has threatened to call the Sheriff if we’re not out.
We had hoped that this change would help us gain some momentum after several years of financial, health, and personal crises. We have been begging for answers or a chance to a plan, or at least a conversation, but she refuses to engage with us in a productive way. I am happy to provide more details privately via email, but we are scared of this person and how quickly she has thrown us under the bus and threatened violence because of our identity and disabilities.
The plan:
We have been trapped in a cycle of poverty after losing our home and business to domestic violence. If we can get to Washington, we have promising job opportunities and a place to land that’s safe.
As of now, our goal is $5000 to get across safely, and any extra funds will go towards getting a vehicle or motorhome to park on a friend's property while we get on our feet.
Max is trans and both of us are queer and neurodivergent - and, after the recent election, have to carefully plan our route to avoid certain states. We also have to take a route that won’t have inclement weather, and that we can safely transport our dogs across. Any extra funds will help us move quickly, strategically and safely.
I hate to have to make another GoFundMe and ask for community help, and know things are hard for everyone right now. Nicole and I are committed to making the most of this opportunity to get home, and I very much look forward to sharing a success story someday soon.
We have reached out to several organizations who specialize in LGBTQ relocation, housing assistance & trafficking victim support but given the short timeline cash donations are the most helpful right now. Other ways to pay:
Email: [email redacted]
Venmo: @strongeyedstudios
CashApp: $strongeyedstudios
PayPal:
Organizer
Max Shaw
Organizer
York, SC