Support James' Journey to Recovery and Stability

One step away from stability — please help me keep my recovery on track.

My name is James, and I recently moved from the East Coast to California to get treatment for mental health struggles and substance use disorder that have affected most of my adult life. I’m currently finishing a scholarship-funded stay at an inpatient treatment center in Dana Point, CA, thanks to the nonprofit MusiCares. For the first time, I have found my self-worth and I’m fully committed to my recovery—attending AA/NA meetings daily, working the 12 steps, and building a strong sober support network. But I’m facing a serious roadblock: without some financial assistance, I won’t have anywhere safe to live when I leave treatment.

The good news is I’ve been accepted into a structured sober living home here in Dana Point (Kaizen Sober Living)—a place that would give me the stability I need to focus on my recovery, find work, and rebuild my life. The problem is, I have no funds for the $1,200 move-in cost or basic necessities like food and toiletries for the first month. Because I’m still residing in treatment, I can’t access state benefits or food assistance until I move into sober living. It’s a catch-22: I need housing to qualify for benefits (funding), but I need funding to secure housing. It has put me in quite a desperate position.

This fundraiser will help cover:

• First couple months of sober living rent ($1,200/month)

• Groceries and meals until I qualify for assistance and/or secure steady employment

• Basic necessities like soap, toiletries, clothing, and shoes

• Transportation costs as I look for work (Ubers, public transportation, since I don’t have a vehicle)

• A small emergency cushion for unexpected needs until I can support myself again

My dream is to start fresh here in Southern California, stay sober, and use my creativity—music, art, content creation—as part of my healing. I’ve made many mistakes I feel ashamed of, but I’m determined to turn my life around. Any contribution, even $5, would mean the world to me and would help me find my footing while I take this next big step in my recovery journey.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading my story. If you can’t donate, sharing this page with others would still help me more than you know.

♥️ James

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