Fund to put me back on my feet
Donation protected
Since I was laid off in 2015, I had been looking for work and living off savings and assumed work would be easy to find. It wasn't, and hasn't been, in part because I have a lot of experience but don't have the degrees. With automated resume filtering now common, I have not been making even the first cut.
In 2016, the money I'd saved ran out. I sold things on eBay and drove for Uber for a while -that driving had been delayed because I assumed my car was too old. It was actually fine. But in the end, Uber was costing me more in gas than I made. And it was keeping me from finding real work.
So I have made changes: I am taking a class that will make me much more marketable. Stopped driving for Uber. Signed up with multiple temp agencies and made finding work a major priority.
However, this process is taking longer than I had hoped. And with no income, everything is overdue and on the verge of being cutoff.
I do not like to ask for help. It is my nature TO help, not BE helped. Really don't even know how to ask for help very well. But I can't not do something just because I don't know how. A few people have been aware of just how dire things are and have helped me, quietly. I am deeply grateful. Without them, things would be worse.
Now it is time to stop being afraid to ask for help and instead reach out. Today is March 26, the anniversary of the day my mom passed away. Mom was always one to ask for help whe she needed it. I am not like that. But in honor of her and her memory, today I am changing that. I need your help. I need help.
Here is what I am seeking: Funds for rent, electricity, internet, and car insurance, with an explanation for each.
My priority is to pay my rent. Right now I am two months behind (I have a very undertstanding landlord!) and it will be three months for April. $875 a month is $2625 I'll owe. Second priority is to keep the lights on. Due to a water leak, my electric/water bill skyrocketed and that was a worst-case situation given my lack of ability to pay. I used the last of my Uber earnings to make a payment in January but the past due has just continued to accumulate and they are going to cut off the lights early this week. It will take about $1500 to keep the lights on. Internet is past due at $200 right now, $60 a month, and also due to get cutoff soon. The car costs about $120 a month to insure.
These four are basic needs: a place to live, electricity and internet to continue my job search and do some school work remotely, and the car to take me to school, job interviews, etc, and transport my brother to his doctor appointments every two weeks. These expenses come to about $4450, and that is what I need right away just to get caught up.
I am also trying to get charity help with the utility bill.
Beyond that, of course I have needs like food and clothing (I'm down to two pairs of pants; if I get a job, I will need a few more, etc), gas, medicine, and so forth, and recurring things like the rent, utilities for next month and beyond, and so forth. So that's why the fund goal is higher.
If your generousity was as high as my goal, then I could have a few more months of buffer to find a job without having to wonder if the lights will stay on every day. It is admittedly just what we all want: less to worry about. A 'wouldn't it be nice' thing.
But honestly, I would be grateful for ANY help. Money would help solve the immediate issues, but solid leads on work are appreciated too. I'm a worker. Put me to use.
Why did I let things go for so long? It has been a scary period for me. Having been evicted a couple times growing up, the fear from that is still a part of me andI surpressed those memories because it was such a horrible time. That helped but also let me forget how much is at stake. The fear is wide awake now. I realize I should have pushed much harder on the job front, much sooner. I have learned my lesson on that and I'm pushing hard in the right direction now.
What I need now is help to make it. To get caught up and have enough room to get a job and stick the landing. I think I can do it. I know I can. But it will take help to get there, and that's what I am asking for.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
In 2016, the money I'd saved ran out. I sold things on eBay and drove for Uber for a while -that driving had been delayed because I assumed my car was too old. It was actually fine. But in the end, Uber was costing me more in gas than I made. And it was keeping me from finding real work.
So I have made changes: I am taking a class that will make me much more marketable. Stopped driving for Uber. Signed up with multiple temp agencies and made finding work a major priority.
However, this process is taking longer than I had hoped. And with no income, everything is overdue and on the verge of being cutoff.
I do not like to ask for help. It is my nature TO help, not BE helped. Really don't even know how to ask for help very well. But I can't not do something just because I don't know how. A few people have been aware of just how dire things are and have helped me, quietly. I am deeply grateful. Without them, things would be worse.
Now it is time to stop being afraid to ask for help and instead reach out. Today is March 26, the anniversary of the day my mom passed away. Mom was always one to ask for help whe she needed it. I am not like that. But in honor of her and her memory, today I am changing that. I need your help. I need help.
Here is what I am seeking: Funds for rent, electricity, internet, and car insurance, with an explanation for each.
My priority is to pay my rent. Right now I am two months behind (I have a very undertstanding landlord!) and it will be three months for April. $875 a month is $2625 I'll owe. Second priority is to keep the lights on. Due to a water leak, my electric/water bill skyrocketed and that was a worst-case situation given my lack of ability to pay. I used the last of my Uber earnings to make a payment in January but the past due has just continued to accumulate and they are going to cut off the lights early this week. It will take about $1500 to keep the lights on. Internet is past due at $200 right now, $60 a month, and also due to get cutoff soon. The car costs about $120 a month to insure.
These four are basic needs: a place to live, electricity and internet to continue my job search and do some school work remotely, and the car to take me to school, job interviews, etc, and transport my brother to his doctor appointments every two weeks. These expenses come to about $4450, and that is what I need right away just to get caught up.
I am also trying to get charity help with the utility bill.
Beyond that, of course I have needs like food and clothing (I'm down to two pairs of pants; if I get a job, I will need a few more, etc), gas, medicine, and so forth, and recurring things like the rent, utilities for next month and beyond, and so forth. So that's why the fund goal is higher.
If your generousity was as high as my goal, then I could have a few more months of buffer to find a job without having to wonder if the lights will stay on every day. It is admittedly just what we all want: less to worry about. A 'wouldn't it be nice' thing.
But honestly, I would be grateful for ANY help. Money would help solve the immediate issues, but solid leads on work are appreciated too. I'm a worker. Put me to use.
Why did I let things go for so long? It has been a scary period for me. Having been evicted a couple times growing up, the fear from that is still a part of me andI surpressed those memories because it was such a horrible time. That helped but also let me forget how much is at stake. The fear is wide awake now. I realize I should have pushed much harder on the job front, much sooner. I have learned my lesson on that and I'm pushing hard in the right direction now.
What I need now is help to make it. To get caught up and have enough room to get a job and stick the landing. I think I can do it. I know I can. But it will take help to get there, and that's what I am asking for.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Organizer
Patrick McCullough
Organizer
Atlanta, GA
