From our recipient.....

Thank you for considering me for this mutual aid effort. I have navigated a lot of trials and tribulations since moving to the US in 2022, and this past year has been the most challenging yet. I was displaced in the LA fires in January, and although where I lived wasn't lost to the fire - I was unable to move back to the sublet I reliably had for two years once the evacuations were over, as the owner decided to move back to Santa Monica full time. I have since moved over 30 times in the last ten months, and have relied on house and pet sitting to remain housed as my career demands a level of stability and privacy to effectively serve clients. (I was in the process of getting my documentation processed, which came to a halt once the administration took over, making it impossible to even look for work in the meantime.) This was a manageable alternative until October when not only did bookings stop happening (LA wide according to others I know who also house and pet sit), but my vehicle broke down. I borrowed some money from a friend to have the repairs done in order to get to northern California for a live-in client job that was meant to be 5-6 weeks, and not only did that job fall through (she was withholding pay, being abusive to me, and taking advantage of my status), but my vehicle only made it 600miles before breaking down again, I fear this time for good. I have until Tuesday November 4th to have it towed from where it is, and unfortunately do not have the funds to have it repaired at this time until I can work again. The real kicker is that I have been sleeping in it in between short house sitting bookings, or when a friend lets me stay at his place when he is out of town. So I am very close to having to take shelter on the streets. (I'm also one police interaction away from potentially disappeared because of my status that is in limbo.) Moving back to my country of origin would take as much as it would cost to get into a new home, and it would place me on an entry ban to the US for a minimum of ten years. I don't want to come this far, to only get this far. I do have some good news though, I have found another sublet that is willing to provide housing, (but because I do not yet have US credit history, they are asking for three months plus a damage deposit for me to be able to move in.) I found this place through a friend, so know the person is trustworthy, their landlord is who requires the pre-payment of three months rent to approve my move in. This would begin on November 10th. I am grateful that Randalin and the other admins of our Witches of the Resistance group are championing for me here, and I'm hoping we can come together to make some magick happen, and raise the funds for me to move into this place in order for me to become settled in and afford me the safety, security, and stability to relaunch my work and become financially independent once again. The rent is $1635 inclusive of utilities, so I am in need of $6500 + $500 to move out of storage. $7000 seems like a lot, but we are a small and mighty group of 2000 strong, and even if 100 of us could spare $70 each, we'll have it in no time! Thank you for holding me through this turbulence. I know many of us in the US are feeling these strains and fears, and I deeply appreciate your consideration and support.