Stop the Eviction

http://www.calendow.org/oakland-voices-where-we-live/
October 6, 2015
Dear Friends,

One of the most humbling things anyone can do is ask for help! Especially someone who is resilient and determined to handle things on their own! As an independent woman, that is something that I strive to do. However most recently, I have had some struggles paying my rent.

Since my Grandmother’s home of over 40 years was foreclosed on January, 25, 2012, I now understand how families can be ripped apart by miseducation, greed, ageism and many other heart breaking acts. While she relocated to Stockton, I remained in Oakland because I believed I had a purpose for being here and stayed on couches with various friends to try to “pick-up-the-pieces” and somehow erase the broken promises, failed dreams and memories, especially how my Grandma and Grandpa bought the home in East Oakland with Silver Dollars, 50cent pieces and loans that they were able to pay off.  The memories remained and it struck me that I was homeless.

After working at the Oakland Private Industry Council from November 4, 2014-April 30, 2014 as a Full-time/temp receptionist, I saved enough money to pay rent/live in my current home with a roommate. Since April 2014, I have struggled with obtaining full/part-time work which has been difficult to pay rent. My landlord/owner (s) have been very lenient to allow me to stay upon pay/late pay on monthly rent until most recently, I was given a 60 Day Eviction Notice which has expired on Saturday, October 10, 2015 and extended to Monday, October 19, 2015 to allow more time for me pay the required ($1,850) 3 month’s rent +$50 late fee. If not paid within the final extension, the landlord/owner will take legal action within small claims court and therefore do not wish to offer me the housing space to rent in the future. And with a couple of miracles, I was gifted approximately $1,000. Since I have already raised $330 from all of you, I just need to raise $520 in preparation for next months rent. Who is with me? 

What happened?

·         The Department of Education took my tax refund check to subsidize my student loan so therefore, I didn’t have the rent that I was expecting to receive from the refund. On October 20th I received notice in the mail that my Refund request has been granted!!! So now I wait for the refund.

·         Limited monthly finances due to unemployment and/or temp jobs. I recently got a job on Oct 13th! Yay!

What’s the Solution?

I have reached out to my friends via social-media and business networks to assist with my financial situation and have also created a GoFund Me page.

What you get for donating?

Every donor is invited to collaborate on future events and/or receive my PR/Marketing & Publicist services!

Thank you in advance for your continued support,

For those that would like to donate with check/money order, please message me here.

 Aqueila M. Lewis

P.S. Check  out published articles in California Endowment and Oakland Tribune/Oakland Voices regarding my love for home/neighborhood

http://oaklandvoices.us/on-my-block-e-23rd-and-23nd-avenue/