Please Help: Struggling to Stay in My Home
Dear Kind supporters,
    My name is Amber, I am 41 and single with no kids. I am reaching out to ask for your help during a very difficult time in my life. I am currently facing a serious financial struggle, and I'm in desperate need of assistance with my rent.  I worked so hard to get to a point of living on my own . 
     A little back story in 2018  I went through horrible separation with my husband of 8 years, became homeless living in my car and doing drugs.  Then I realized “ THIS IS NOT MY LIFE” So I decided to go to treatment 8/2018. When I got out I lived in group homes, to renting a room from someone off Craigslist. To working up and getting my own place. And now to being half packed and half not in fear of being homeless again. 
      After I for clean and a place to live I got a job as a Sales Manager and then shortly after covid I moved up to be a store manager and was a store manger for the last 4 years.  I put my whole life into my job working 6 days a week 14-16 hour days. Then I was fired because “ I couldn't retain employees”  The loss of my job has been incredibly challenging, both financially and emotionally.  I am actively seeking new work, I just passed my DOT physical to obtain my CDL  as I was hired to drive school busses,  however as I waited to find out the training start time found out people in their office miscommunicated and now I am waiting to find out if I still have the position.  It's been very emotional this last week focusing on that because I was incredibly eager and blessed to get offered that job as it’s a perfect match with my love for kids and driving and is a job I can do with my health problems.  I am also applying to at least 30 jobs a day on Indeed but it has been slow going, and the stress of my situation has taken a toll on my mental health. As soon as I was let go from my employer I immediately enrolled in college and I am currently ending my 3rd quarter at the community college to change my career path as I can no longer do the type of work I used to.  
I do not have family or friends who can support me through this. Both my parents passed away. My mom when I was 30 and my dad just two years ago.  which makes reaching out for help feel even more daunting. 
I’ve reached out to  211 when I first lost my job but they couldn't help because I made too much ( I was way below being able to pay all my bikes) on unemployment,  so once that ended I called again, when I first missed my rent and they told me that in order to get help I had to have a 14 day pay or vacate notice. So I requested that from my landlords. Letting them know that that’s the only way that I can get financial assistance. Four months later ( which takes us to December) I finally got that notice.  That same day I called 211, ( again doing everything that I have been asked to do) they say there is no rental assistance available. I reminded them that I was approved for and received a HEN voucher. The said only the essential needs is available not the housing which was devastating because I did exactly what they told me to do. And basically they’re telling me that I have to wait for an eviction summons or hope that there's funding that comes through. Well that still hasn’t happened.  It’s already really hard to get any assistance being a single childless female. I was trying to do preventive care and not get an eviction and become homeless . 
     I truly do not want to end up living in my car again, and I am determined to avoid that outcome. Being homeless really doesn’t help my esteem and would only intensify my depression. To be honest I AM TIRED OF Being so depressed! Your kindness and generosity can help me get back on my feet and allow me to focus on healing and finding employment without the constant fear of losing my home. Ad well see that there are still caring and considerate people in this world  
No contribution is too small, and every bit helps. Thank you for considering my request. Your support means more than I can express and gives me hope and a reason to keep pushing forward. 

With heartfelt gratitude,  
Amber