About
UPDATE: Every donation of $10.99 or more will receive one set of three hand-knit (by me) dishcloths. Click here for details.
UPDATE: What about a loan? Click here.
UPDATE: Child support in two weeks! But my children and I will still be evicted in less than 24 hours, barring some kind of miracle.
Hello, my name is Gina. I have just a few days to avoid eviction, and I’m hoping the internet will provide some possible solutions for me. While reading this, please consider my children.
I’m hoping to find 200 people who can each donate $2o.
Or, any number of people who can donate any amount, so long as the end result is $4000. Half of this is needed right away (before August 13th). The rest can wait a few weeks.
I’ll get into the details below. This is a blog, so I will be updating it daily (when time allows) to let everyone know of my efforts and how much has been donated. This page is set as the default page, but feel free to subscribe. Or use the links on the sidebar to see the latest posts.
So here’s my situation, and what *exactly* I need the money for.
I have been unwilling unemployed, through no fault of my own. Layoffs do not discriminate. Before I worked for the company that laid me off, I was a stay at home mom. I was with the company for 87 days, and thus did not have the work history to qualify for and collect unemployment. So, not only am I unemployed, with two children, I have zero income from *any* sources. I do not receive child support from my ex-husband at this point in time, although I am trying hard to remedy that situation while I’m also hunting for jobs.
Here is the itemized list of what I need:
$1880 for back rent and late fees (rent for July and August plus $450 in late fees and court costs from the eviction process, which has already begun). This is needed urgently! My deadline is Thursday, August 13th. That is the date I will have to appear in court as part of the eviction process. That is the date I will either have to pay all monies owed, or move. I have nowhere to go.
$200 for the electric bill, part of which is past due and part of which is current (but will be past due, because being unemployed has completely wiped out my savings).
$350 for CNA classes. I search (and apply) for jobs daily. The most common job postings I see on reputable job sites are for healthcare workers. CNA comes up A LOT. There’s a nursing home near me that is offering CNA classes and certification, plus they hire from the graduating class. With a CNA certification, I could potentially have a job without having to search for one. Even if I do have to search for one, I’ll have certification and be able to find employment. This will be my effort to have job security and the ability to support myself again.
$900 for unexpected car repairs/expenses. I depend on my car to get me to and from job interviews. If I can’t drive to a job interview, or if I can’t drive to work after I’m hired, I’m going to remain in debt and possibly go even further into debt. I do not live in an area with adequate public transportation.
$705 for rent for September. I would have to be working now to have the rent money before September 1st. I am actively seeking employment, but nothing short of a miracle will allow me to start earning realistic wages tomorrow. Employment and pre-employment is a process. While I’m holding on to the hope that I’ll be hired on the spot the next time I hand my resume to a potential employer, I realize that instant-hire situations are rare.
18 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
Leave a comment
Donate
Blog at WordPress.com. | Theme: Pool by Borja Fernandez.
Entries and comments feeds.
Have you already applied for welfare and food stamps? It sounds like you would definitely qualify, being a single mother with kids. if you haven’t already applied you should do so immediately. Have you approached any churches or religious organizations? Many are willing to help ppl. in need and would probably take up a collection for you. These are just two things off the top of my head that should surely help.
Comment by Josh — August 8, 2009 #
Thanks for the suggestions!
I have applied for government assistance. It’s a process, which may or may not (most likely not) be finished by Wednesday, at which time I will either have to pay or move. I will be applying for food stamps on Monday. In all honesty, food has not been hard to come by. It’s easier to get a sandwich than a dollar. I’ve become a regular at a local food pantry. It’s not gourmet food items, but at least I get the staples… bread, frozen hamburger, dry pasta or rice, cans of soup, etc…
I’ve contacted Catholic Charities. They said they could probably offer $200 for emergency rent assistance, but they first need to know (as in, have proof) that I am able to come up with the rest of it before I can receive that.
I’ve contacted Metropolitan Lutheran Ministries twice. Each time, I was told they are out of funds.
I’ve contacted some individual churches, and the churches I’ve contacted so far are either out of funds, or they only help their own members. I am not currently a member of any church at this time, so that is one form of emotional/financial support that is lacking. Other than government assistance programs, I’m not sure if there are any secular resources. Not that I’m opposed to help from religious organizations, but after being told the same thing so many times, I’m thinking it’s best to move on to other venues. I have gone to sites like wishuponahero.com. I got an offer of $20 from there… about a month ago. I used it for shampoo, dish soap, and some grocery items. They seem to discourage repeated requests from the same individual, so I’m thinking my luck has run out on that site
I’m really not used to asking for money – at least not on this scale, so I might not be asking the right way when I contact churches. Is there a right way? Asking to borrow $5 from a friend for a couple days when I’m employed is so very different from asking to have or borrow hundreds of dollars, regardless of employment status.
Comment by justgina — August 8, 2009 #
sorry to hear that, but i think going to school now is not a good idea. try a fast food restaurant they hire fast and if you show the court, or the church you got some monies coming in they will not kick you out.Maybe you waited a little too long to ask for help. good luck
Comment by alex — August 9, 2009 #
Thanks, Alex. I am not ruling out fast food restaurants. I’m applying everywhere. ;)
And, if I can come up with a way to pay for it, I’m not going to NOT go to school. The class schedule at the nursing home is part time and flexible (the schedule not structured the way college classes structured, it’s designed for working adults who have jobs). If I find a job, I can work full time and take classes. If I can’t find a job, I don’t see that as a reason for not taking classes. In 10 weeks, I’ll have a certification and a good chance that the nursing home will hire me, so why would I not want to do that?
I’ve been asking for help for several months. Just because the website is new, does not mean I’ve been sitting around on the couch and watching TV until the last minute. I’ve done literally everything I could think of. This is simply the last resort (cyberbegging was not at the top of my list of ways to spend my time and energy).
Comment by Gina — August 9, 2009 #
Oh, Gina… I will do everything in my power to help you.
I just wish I had more power. I’ll be keeping in touch.
Comment by Lindsey — August 10, 2009 #
I wish I could donate, but I don’t have any money. You’re in my thoughts, and I just wanted to tell you good luck.
Things have a way of working out, most of the time, and I hope this is true for you and that you get the money you need.
Comment by Kelly — August 10, 2009 #
Lindsey, thank you so, so much! I’ve received more views today than the the previous two days combined, and I can only assume it’s because of your willingness to use your online presence to tell people about me.
Kelly, thank you for the kind words. I know things will *probably* work out, no matter what happens. It’s still a stressful situation, though. This time last year, I had no job, no place to live, and I didn’t have any of the possessions that I have now. It was a very hard time, and I really don’t want to relive that situation.
Comment by Gina — August 10, 2009 #
Where do you live Gina?
Comment by Terry — August 12, 2009 #
Terry, I live in a suburb of Kansas City
Comment by Gina — August 12, 2009 #
Whew…that’s a long way from Georgia. Thought I might bring you a bag of groceries if you were close.
Comment by Terry — August 12, 2009 #
It is a long way from Georgia! Thank you so much for thinking of me, though.
Comment by Gina — August 12, 2009 #
Gina have you considered adding a chatroom to your webpage so you could talk to your visitors in realtime? It would be a great way for others to get to know you and you never know who you may be chatting with. I think chatango.com has a free one if you’re interested. Just an idea…
Comment by Terry — August 12, 2009 #
Terry, I’ve thought about that, but I’m only able to access the internet at the library and at friends houses. I wouldn’t be able to commit to a chat room at this time.
Comment by Gina — August 13, 2009 #
What happened today Gina?
Comment by Terry — August 13, 2009 #
Uh oh… Gina?
Comment by Terry — August 15, 2009 #
Sorry, Terry! I wasn’t able to get online yesterday. I posted about court here: http://helpgina.com/2009/08/13/the-next-steps
The apartment manager doesn’t want to work out a payment arrangement. It’s all or nothing, unfortunately.
Comment by Gina — August 15, 2009 #
Hey Gina, I thought I would see if your website was still up and see what was going on with you. I sure hope things turned around for you.
Comment by Terry — October 13, 2009 #
Hello Gina,
All you need to do is to apply for a loan with a low interest rate to enable you solve your problems.because you waiting for any charity organization will take a longer period,so i will advise you apply for a loan in our company,we will make it easy for.
BELOW IS OUR COMPANIES ADDRESS……
Skyeloancompany@gmail.com
Comment by scott brown — November 19, 2009 #