Help Lauri & Buddy Escape Homelessness and Find A "Home."

Hello everyone! My name is Kim and I've been one of Lauri’s close friends for several years now.

Once again, I come to you seeking help for one of my good friends who is desperate for help. She isnt the kind of person who seeks handouts. For this reason, I have initiated this GoFundMe campaign on her behalf.

Lauri is and has been in challenging times for a few months while trying to secure a permanent place to live. She has been extremely diligent with finding what resources are available out there. and fortunately has not had to resort to spending an entire night in her car. Sadly we have both discovered that there's nobody that will look out after you in the same manner you do. Not Adult Protective Svcs. Not a Case Mgr. Not The Housing Authority. Nobody. Thankfully Lauri seeks out new information each day, which gives me the confidence that this will all come to an abrupt halt in just a matter of time IF we all pull together to help.

We are facing some cold days ahead of us and being out all night doesnt sound particularly inviting to me whatsoever.

Lauri has been taking this day by day and has done an extremely good job with trying hard to remain positive during this challenging time she's going through. Motels are not cheap...even the most basic ones out the such as Motel 6 or Knights Inn. Lauri is at a point where she desperately needs all of us to come together to keep her out of her car until she gets paid at the beginning of the month. By that time, we are pretty confident that she will be able to secure at least a room to rent at a Boarding House until she's able to locate a small Studio or Efficiency to rent. The Boarding House at least will give her a sense of comfort and not consume all of her disability check since the rent includes all utilities, wifi, cable, a fully stocked kitchen to share with other housemates, shared furnished living room and use of a W/D on the premesis.

I'm making an urgent plea that we, as her friends and family, all get together to help pay for a few more nights at the hotel she currently is at, it would make a huge impact in her life...an impact for the good. Where shes chrrently staying has very competitive rates and has offered to give her even an additional discount on top of that. She feels safe there plus they offer a nice hot breakfast every AM.

Lets remember tis the season of giving to our neighbors and friends in need. I can assure you that my friend is in dire need at the moment. I dread the thought of her and Buddy being out in this frigid weather, but if people don't join in with me to help her, thats the path she's headed for. As of now, she is out of funds. I just sent her a few so she could possibly find some cheap tennis shoes at her local Goodwill so her feet will be warmer when this next batch of snow hits.

Lauri fell in the hotel lobby last Friday sustaining a significant injury after having a seizure. As a nurse, it is my opinion the seizure was a "breakthrough seizure" brought on by stress and not knowing where she will be from day to day. If we can provide some sense of relief and comfort to her, reassuring her that she has God and many people looking out after her, I think things will start to look up. But now that she's torn her Rotator Cuff and may even have a fractured rib (a cracked rib has not yet been confirmed, but the torn rotator cuff has by CT) because Lauri is having some intense chest pain that shoots through the thoracic area aligning with her ribs.

As Lauri's good friend of 40+ years, I am trying to reach out to her entire social network on Facebook and all the support groups she is a part of. I am deeply concerned about her current situation and need your assistance.

Lauri is a retired nurse of 25+ years. Under the advice of her Neurologist at The Cleveland Clinic Epilepsy Institute, it was recommended in 2012 that she stop work indefinitely since her seizures were worsening. Lauri has an adorable Service Dog to assist her during these difficult times.

After a difficult relationship breakup back in 2021, Lauri moved into an apartment complex without knowing its strong history bedbug issues. Thankfully she has escaped this back in October, but has yet to find somewhere where she and Buddy can safely reside long term and call "home." Lauri fills out applications on a daily basis, but continues to face the same challenge and that is a wait list. Thats why we've resorted to a temporary Boarding House. Many subsidized apartments are on a 2-3 year wait. Ones that have no wait list are not in safe neighborhoods because no one wants to live there.

While I realize these apartment communities will often quote their wait being longer than it actually is, that doesn't help the situation Lauri is currently in. By definition, Lauri is now homeless since she has no permanent address.

A shelter only

provides protection for the homeless at night since their policy states "the shelter is only good for overnight stays. No one is allowed in the building during the day." In other words, Lauri would be protected from the cold weather from 9pm-6am. During the day, she and Buddy would have to stay in her car or sit at the local library, etc.

I cannot fathom what must be going through her mind right now. Although she seems to be doing well by trying to keep a positive outlook, I know its a "cover up" and deep down inside she must be feeling some sense of embarrassment not to mention feelings of rejection and shame.

This is where you come in. This is where you can step in and make a real difference in the lives of Lauri and Buddy. No donation is too small and any gift could help her escape the life she's currently living and give her a chance to have something permanent to call "home." This would not be safe for either her or Buddy.

Today I urge you to consider helping her in this gloomy time she's facing. I'm pleading with you to help me, as her good friend, help her by reaching out to your friends, your co-workers, your family, people at church, your neighbors and whomever else you can think of that would be in the position to help. Lauri has two more days at the hotel where she's at and that's it. The staff have been very good to her since her seizure and it would be nice if she could continue staying in the same room.

Lauri has been very resourceful at finding cheap rates for just about anything she has her mind set on getting. I realize times are tough right now, but I don't want to see my good friend out in the cold either. I'm confident that, if we all unite as her friends during this stressful time she's currently facing, not only will it help with a smooth transition for Lauri, but it will greatly help ease her mind (and mine) for the days that lie ahead. Lauri no longer will have to worry day to day whether she will have a roof over her head or where she will be during the night.

I dont know about you, but I would feel much safer knowing my friend is in a warm motel room where she is safe and not at a shelter where she would be with others she has no idea what they're capeable of doing, especially if they're under the influence.

Thank you taking the time to read Lauri's story. And again, please consider helping her out during one of the most crucial times she's facing. I am confident that, as one of her closest friends for 40+ years, together we can put an END to her situation so she once and for all can finally feel a glimpse of hope along this dark, frustrating journey her and Buddy have endured.

Thank you to those who have already given! I know Lauri appreciates what you've done from the bottom of her heart and so do I.

I understand that times are tough, but please remember that no donation is too small. We are all in this together, and each person who donates brings us one step closer to our goal.

I ask that you please consider sharing Lauri's story on your social media platforms, with your family, neighbors, clubs, the gym, your church, any restaurant that allows postings, your local library, co-workers and anyone else you can think of so that together, we can reach as many people as possible to help Lauri and Buddy during this challenging period.

This page can be printed and posted just about anywhere you think people will see it and be willing to help.

To support Lauri, please visit the GoFundMe campaign page at https://gofund.me/1202a. Thank you for your time!

Kimberly Tuttle-Campaign Organizer and close friend of Lauri’s.