#peer support certified

Post written by my partner:

I never imagined I’d have to write something like this, I’m embarrassed and scared to be asking strangers for help, but I’m at the point where I don’t know what else to do.

I lost my job, and things have spiraled far faster than I could’ve prepared for. My partner and I are now facing the very likely possibility of losing our housing and car, and not being able to afford basic necessities, including food and life-saving medication.

I want to make it VERY clear: I am not sitting around waiting for someone to rescue us. I am working. I am trying. As much as I possibly can, and I’ve been trying everything.

Since losing my job I’ve been doing Uber, Lyft, and Doordash, staying out until 2 AM every single night, trying to make any money I possibly can; I’m doing everything I can to keep us afloat, but the income has just… not been enough. Tips have been really really bad lately, almost nonexistent sometimes, and the money I’m bringing in isn’t enough to cover our necessary expenses.

I am actively applying for regular employment, everyday. I’ve applied to hundreds of jobs.

I’m not just asking for a handout. I want to work.

If anyone reading this is hiring remote workers or hiring in Arizona, I would genuinely really appreciate hearing about any opportunities or options I might have. I want nothing more than to become financially stable again and support myself and my partner (they’re disabled, they’re trying their best to help too). I am disabled and in a wheelchair, which unfortunately limits some of the jobs I can realistically try to pursue. I’ve also experienced a frustrating pattern of submitting applications and receiving an immediate (within a second) or very quick rejection, often seemingly before there could’ve even been much if any consideration of my application. Many of the jobs I’ve applied to here, also turned out to be MLMs that lied on the listing, and wasted my time.

I am not expecting someone to simply give me money and make my problems disappear. I am willing to earn my way out of this situation. If you know of a remote position, an Arizona employer, freelance work, contract work, or any other legitimate opportunity that could accommodate my circumstances, please, please reach out. I am willing to work. I just need a chance.

I’m also an experienced programmer and software developer, I know how to work on servers, other advanced programming, etc. I’m open to any other opportunities that can accommodate my circumstances too, but these are the skills I have. I’ve applied to many of these jobs too with zero luck.

I had hoped my family would be willing to help us get through this emergency, especially because they have the financial means to do so (Well beyond, even; They own a business, a multiple story house with an elevator, built into a mountain). Instead, they’ve made it painfully clear they had set aside a fixed amount of money and refuse to contribute anything at all beyond that, even knowing how seriously dire our situation has become.

I’m angry with them, I don’t want to have to pretend I’m not, and beg them for money they clearly refuse to give, when they’re unsafe and abusive. They were so in the past, and sadly that pattern of behavior has continued. What makes this situation so painful is they have the ability to help prevent what is happening to us, but are choosing not to.

Recently, I even tried to make them understand how serious things have become. I told them my partner and I are staying in a homeless shelter, partially because I needed them to understand what we are now facing, and partially because I wanted to see whether hearing that would make them finally realize how desperate things had become.

Their response was saying they didn’t think we’d do something “so drastic” as move into a shelter. Saying they didn’t want us to do that, upset that we did something they clearly don’t like. As if we have a choice.

That response was devastating. We’re not talking about some hypothetical worst case scenario anymore! Homelessness is a very real and immediate possibility for us both, and we’re trying anything we can to prevent it before we have no other choice. Being homeless would kill both of us immediately due to disabilities.

Right now, we have bills due within a couple days, that we don’t have the money to cover (even with Lyft, Uber, and Doordash every day and night).

Our electricity bill is approximately $209.47, and our car payment is $672.54. Both are due on the 11th, only about a couple days away. Rent is $1355.11, due again on the 1st. Groceries, for both of us, are about $500 every month. We only go to the grocery store once a month, and we do our best to keep it minimal, and buy bulk where possible so that it lasts.

These aren’t expenses I can delay or put off. The car is especially so important because it's our only transportation and also the means by which I’m currency earning money through uber and Lyft. Losing it would make this situation go from incredibly difficult to impossible to survive. We really can’t afford losing the car if we want to make it through this at all.

We also need help with the following:

Rent/Housing

Food/Groceries

Electricity

Car payment

Other essential bills and basic necessities

Necessary life-saving medications, about $300 every 3 months (not covered by medicaid insurance)

We have medication that’s about $300 every 3 months, and it’s not something we can just stop paying. It’s life-saving, and my partner will die without it, even for a day or so.

I’m not asking anyone to solve our entire situation. Even a few dollars would help us get through this period while I continue working and trying desperately to get more stable employment. If you’re able to contribute, the money would go towards keeping us housed, electricity on, not losing the car, basic food, and life-saving medication.

We also have a 3D printer we got free from a friend, so if you want to donate financially with a bit extra for filament/shipping, we can print you anything reasonable.

Anything is much much appreciated. Thank you.

If you would like to help financially:

PayPal: [email protected]

PayPal: AsterismeFenrir

CashApp: $zontreck

Bitcoin: bc1pjqafak00sckk754awhke50vumval0mphnedc6ktpg33yu9ktjheqpcchm2

(Included for those who would like to donate, but prefer to remain anonymous.)

(GoFundMe for supporting us, incl. especially if you want us to keep making the System Switchboard app)

(GoFundMe for medication)

If you can’t donate, please consider sharing this as much as you’re able, or telling me about legitimate resources, employment opportunities, or organizations that might be able to help.

I know there are countless people asking for help online, and I know strangers have no reason to trust me, but I am willing to provide whatever reasonable verification I can to establish that our situation is real.

I’m incredibly terrified. So is my partner. I don’t want them to end up without a place to live, without enough money to eat, or without meds that keep them from dying, or for them to go back to living with abusers who will definitely kill them. But I am trying as hard as I can to fight my way out of this. I want to work. I want to be independent. I’m already staying out working until 2 AM almost every single night just trying to make this work, by some miracle. I just need some help enough to get us through the gap between where we are now, and being able to support ourselves again. Please.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, even if you can’t contribute anything financially. Thank you for hearing us out.