*UPDATE* Through these donations and an independent donation, Stephen has been able to cover rent, four new tires for the car, the power, gas, and phone bills. "It is an absolutely huge load of stress off of me and my family I cant even begin to express". Please still consider donating to support this family with additional expenses and needs <3

Hi friends, I have a dear friend who is in need of immediate financial support.

I've been blessed to be part of an incredibly network and community that offers collective care to one another how and when possible, and I believe deeply in the idea of interdependence and mutual aid. The world is a lot; it requires a lot for us to stay a float and it is impossible to tread water forever. Each of us have or will have moments we are too tired to go on, or see no way out of the deep, and thats where friends and community come to lift us out.

My dear friend Stephen Harding is in need of such a lift and support. He is struggling right now to keep up with expenses while recovering from a recent mental health crisis, supporting a family, and living with chronic body pain.

Stephen lives in Red Deer Alberta with his partner Kitty, and kids Milo (14), Lilly (12), Ryder (10), and Hunter (7). Stephen is a floral shirt wearing - moustachioed BEAM of light who does incredible work in the communities he is a part of. I met Stephen at Shunda Creek Recovery Centre, a wilderness based addiction treatment centre in Nordegg AB where Stephen has worked and offered peer support to young men on their recovery journey. Stephen puts all of his heart into the things he cares about and I hope to give some love back to him.

I am hoping through community support and mutual aid we can support Stephen and his family through:

1) Augusts expenses while Stephen recovers from a recent mental health crisis

2) Provide more than the required amount for monthly expenses to provide a moment of respite and breath to my friend

Expenses:

$1600 - Rent for August (MAJOR AND MOST IMMEDIATE EXPENSE)

$897 - Phone bill for entire family overdue

$410 - Water bill disconnection notice

$230 - Power and gas

$300- Fuel to get too / from work and transport kids until getting paid

$400 - The car used to transport kids is on a donut tire and to replace the two front tires is just under $400

$512 - Insurance comes out before getting paid

$445 - Car payment

Total - $4794

Stephen provided this list though it doesn't include the food they need, medication, dog food, or any additional bills/payments that aren't deemed a necessity.

I hope we can raise $5,000 to cover Augusts expenses, additional bills / payments, and provide breathing space for this family to get back on their feet. If you have anything you can financially contribute at this time it would be deeply appreciated. No thing is too small.

Collective care and support is integral to our individual and collective wellbeing. Stephen and I are grateful beyond words for this community of people who ask "what can I do with my own two hands" and keep their hearts open to one another throughout the waves of the world.