Help Oliver and I Stay in Our Home

These past years have been very difficult for me and Oliver, it pains me to ask for help in this way, but we need it.

In December, I landed a dream job working for the NYS Department of Corrections. After living off a grad student stipend for years, the increase in salary was heaven sent. To be closer to work, we moved into a large apartment, big enough for me, Oliver, my new partner, and his son. With the arrangement of splitting expenses, I took on the rent - which is nearly a whole paycheck. With his help, I was able to do it.

Last week, I came home from work and my partner and his son were gone. He took everything and left a note. The heartbreak was intense, not only losing my partner but losing a child I had loved like my own.

He left me in a financial lurch, in an apartment I can’t afford and every other expense now doubled. I made a mistake, I put my trust in the wrong person and I’m paying for it.

Despite this, there have been some miracles. My landlord has offered to lower the rent to a price I can afford through the remainder of my lease. I was able to find affordable and reliable childcare. And I’ve been lucky to be at a job that has been flexible and understanding.

But now, I’ve thought of everything and here I am. My landlord is asking for a new deposit at the end of the month (for a new lease, instead of breaking the current one) and after paying all my bills, as well as accruing new expenses - I don’t have the money for a deposit.

I’m hoping for another miracle, while also working my butt off to try and make the money I need. I’ve picked up DoorDash and Instacart on the weekends but it isn’t reliable and not much extra. I have adjunct classes lined up, but I can’t start teaching mid-semester. We need help to stay in our apartment, so Oliver can finish the school year in a school he loves! I am so very grateful for any help anyone is able to offer. Thank you!