I am in Pittsburgh. Here's how it all went down.
Halfway through the drive to Pittsburgh I was told that I had no place to go once I landed. I'd been told it was a sure thing, my place in that transitional housing location. I'd asked if they needed my resume or anything else to make myself more 'marketable' for the housing position. They said no, I didn't need it; it'd be fine.
It was not fine.
I couldn't do anything. I was mid-drive. So I continued to drive. I went to a few places I was told were housing options, but they were homeless shelters. That's fine, but it wasn't where I thought I was yet.
Still, I was just so tired. So, exhausted and trying to do my best with what I had, I got myself and Riko an AirBnB for the night. We were able to do laundry so that the clothes we brought from the toxic place could finally be cleaned. I slept, but it was rough because housing was still uncertain.
The next day, I made every call that I could. I tried so hard to get in touch with anybody that could help. I got some intake appointments for Monday, but that was the soonest I could get anything done. I was preparing to take my belongings to a storage and then to go to a shelter with Riko; it was the only option left to me given the money that I still had in my pocket.
And that's when a miracle happened. Someone from the LGBTQIA+ community in Pittsburgh asked me if I needed a place to stay. I did, obviously, and I agreed to go meet them. They are wonderful, and because of them I've been able to finally really and truly rest through one night.
I'm back, and now I'm moving forward with things. Next week, I address any hiccups with the PA license and begin answering some of the jobs that have already reached out to me. And between now and then, maybe I can get some editing done.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/ellis-emergency-fund
I am nowhere near done needing help. I'm in Pittsburgh, but with all the moving expenses, I have very little left for anything else. The goal is still distant, but I'm finally in a safer space, and I am grateful I can finally start to go slow again.
Thank you, everyone, for helping me to build a new home here. I'm here. And now it's building time.
#TransIsHere #Pittsburgh #MutualAid #CommunityAid #LPC #EmergencyFund #TransSafety #QueerHistory #BuildingTime #PleaseBoost
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