Hello and thank you for taking the time to read this. It feels like more and more of us are having to do this, but it means a lot if you have made it this far.

Our names are Wes Franks and Bran Lavigne. We, along with our cat Jigsaw and dog Rustin, need your help. We recently made the move from Washington DC to Silver Spring, Maryland and back due to terrible living experiences in the Silver Spring home, The Park.

When we first visited The Park, we were made many promises and shown a relatively new and remodeled unit that would be like what we would be living in. We were coming from a terrible situation at The Kenmore, where many amenities and functions of the building were in disrepair. We had experienced a terrible management team and we were looking for a new start.

We had decided The Park would be that place. It had everything we needed at a Competitive price. It seemed perfect.

Until we moved in.

The apartment was slightly renovated, but with clear holes in the baseboards. It was filthy, cockroach infested, and in disrepair. Not to mention a hoard of fleas waiting for our pets, which we had to deal with ourselves.It was not what we're promised and we managed to negotiate an early date for us to break our lease and move to our current residence in Washington DC. It has served us well, but is cramped and we're ready to take the next step in our journey to New Orleans, Louisiana.

Wes has found a darling house to lease there and has interviews lined up for work, but just needs to be able to get to New Orleans. We have booked a rental truck for a December 20th move, with plans on stopping at Wes' friends and family in Alabama for a night and then finally driving the rest of the way along the Gulf Coast. We have already begun packing and gathering supplies but we need your help.

Why New Orleans?

Though the state government of Louisiana lacks gumption and a spine, there are a great many people doing solid community & mutual aid, especially in areas around New Orleans. We also have a solid base for community in Louisiana. There are job opportunities for Wes and there is plenty of inexpensive options for us to start a home where our animals can have a bit more freedom to stretch their legs.

We're also excited about the prospect of being in a queer-friendly city around friends and family we can support and who can support us. The culture of New Orleans is highly important to Wes and being there will be a benefit to their recovery.

The climate is better for both Bran & Wes' health and we are both enthusiastic to start being more hands on in nonprofit and community building in the area. It also has been a bountiful home to Wes before and they are excited to immerse Bran in the community and culture there. We are also hoping to be a prime space for our online community to come and visit and relax with us in a place a bit more comfortable and inexpensive than DC.

Why do we need your help?

Bran works a job that pays decently, but Wes has been unemployed for two years now. They have to run games, take low income contract work, and somehow contribute to bills, groceries, and more. We are ineligible for Food Stamps, unemployment benefits, and more due to Bran's income.

We would like to hire a U-Haul truck since we're not bringing as many things with us to New Orleans. The amount needed would also cover the rent, application fees, and gasoline, and more. All so we are not having to pull out a loan from the cost we will eat in all of this.

We broke down the funds for our previous move out of The Park, but with the initial goal of $6000 hit, here's where the rest of the money is going to:

First Month and security deposit for New Orleans apartment: $4000

Grocery & Interstitials: $1000

U-Haul rental from DC to Louisiana: $3000

Gasoline: $600

Every dollar earned after the goal is met will be put towards new furniture, utilities, and groceries.

A lot of you did so much to help us get out of our previously terrible situation and this is the next stage to getting us to a more stable place. Thank you for taking the time to read this and helping out, however you are. Please feel free to share this and we appreciate you taking the time to do so.