Support Sheryl and Zo'i's Dream of GTFO of Iowa!

Hello, my daughter Zo'i and I have an update:

We are a mother and daughter with three cats - one senior and two younger cats - who are currently living in an unstable and increasingly uncomfortable space in Des Moines, Iowa, trying to relocate back to Austin, Texas.

Zo'i just got a job secured, and starts immediately (as of today, 4-25-2025) and thus, we need to move as soon as possible so that we can avoid paying rent in two places. As it stands currently, where we live and with whom we live right now, is really unhealthy and uncomfortable. Last summer, Zo'i lost her job after being physically accosted at work, and upon reporting the abuse she sustained, she was treated poorly, the manager tried to intimidate and blackmail her, and then had the company lie on his behalf, halting any financial help she could apply for. This has caused us substantial financial duress! In December, I fell and broke my wrist and arm in two places, and was not given time to heal - even with a doctor's note - and have sustained a longer term injury that has affected my ability to do some jobs. I am currently still employed, but ready to move on, as this company is shady, abusive and untrustworthy. She has struggled for months to find stable work. She has a business as a photographer and as a freelance artist, and has not had any success in Iowa.

We will also be pursuing a lawsuit for her mistreatment, though we hope we can find the money for that separately.

Our support system and work opportunities are in full in Austin, and we would like to move back ASAP. Since Zo'i starts her new job this next week, (4-28-2025) we need some help getting out there as quickly as we can. We have some funds, but not enough to get into an apartment AND rent a U-Haul, AND have money for deposits for utilities while paying our regular bills and move out fees.

We have an apartment we are working to get into, and the move in fees equate to approximately $3.5k. The rental truck is $1079 (plus gas~$300) and we have a personal vehicle, a van, that will cost about $200 - give or take a few dollars - to fill on the drive down.

We will also need help with some utilities set up (the lease suggests it will be about $250 roughly).

I am trying to transfer my current job to a similar position in Austin.

We will likely need at least one additional month's rent to tide us over during this transition.

We know asking for help can be hard (and it really is) but any donations or sharing of our link is greatly appreciated!

Our time in Iowa has long come to a close, and we are ready to move on. We have been trying to recover from the chaos and fall of 2020, and as a duo of women, with a small business, we would like to just finally be able to get on our feet! We have hit turmoil after turmoil, and are finally on an upward path!

Thank you deeply, from the bottom of our hearts, to anyone and everyone who can help!