A CAREER RESTORED!!!

When I first asked for your help, my goal was simply to survive long enough to rebuild my life. Today, I am incredibly proud to share that my dream is gently easing into reality.

Following my final interview last Wednesday (February 18), I received and accepted an official offer for a clinician position at Pittsburgh Mercy. My tentative start date is set for March 16.

Because of the sanctuary you helped provide, I was able to recover from COVID-19 in a safe, smoke-free environment. Having a quiet space allowed me to finalize my credentialing and walk into that interview as the professional I am, not just a person surviving a crisis. My dog, Riko, has been safe and grounded by my side through it all.

MAKING IT THROUGH THE FINAL STRETCH

We are at the absolute final stretch of this journey, but there is one last "pickle" to navigate.

The funds we raised secured my current, safe housing until March 2. However, my new career does not begin until March 16, leaving exactly a two-week gap where Riko and I will be without a home before my first day of work—and several weeks before my first paycheck. This problem is compounded by the following issues:

  • Phone: My phone has been cut off due to non-payment and requires $56 to turn back on. This part especially sucks because I'm expecting a callback from Pittsburgh Mercy to let me know how to proceed with background checks and drug testing, and so I'm pretty anxious about that right now.
  • Post Office Box: Because I've had to move so much, I have a PO Box. I have to renew the payment on it, and that's $10.
  • Food: Riko is gratefully not out of food, but I am. I've got food stamps, but carrying groceries several blocks uphill is impossible for me, so I need to get it delivered. Ergo non-food-stamp money is needed.

To cross this final bridge without losing the stability we’ve fought so hard to build, I need to finish raising my GoFundMe goal, which I've dropped to $2,500. This will cover:

  • $900 to extend my current housing through the start of April, allowing me time to get my first paycheck, to potentially argue for a relocation stipend so I can get an actual rental apartment, and to stay safe—and more importantly, psychologically stable while managing severe PTSD—until I can do all of that.
  • $395 to ensure food security for Riko and me and to pay necessary bills until my first paycheck arrives.

CROSSING THE FINISH LINE

You didn't just help me escape a dispiriting, life-threatening environment; you bought me the time to reclaim my career as an LPC. I am now just weeks away from being completely self-sufficient and returning to the frontlines to serve the LGBTQ+ and Spanish-speaking communities.

Please help me bridge this final month. If you cannot donate, sharing this update is just as vital.

Thank you so much, community. I would never have been able to do this without you, and I plan to spend the rest of my life making sure folks I come across don't have to go through what I've had to. :purple_heart:

Thank you for being the steady foundation I needed to start anew. Riko and I almost home.

#MutualAid #MutualAidRequest #Pittsburgh #LPC #Therapist #LGBTQ #HousingCrisis #EmergencyFund #DisabilityJustice #PTSD #COVIDRecovery #FoodSecurity #JobOffer #MentalHealthMatters #SiberianHusky #MutualAidPA #PovertyTax #Venmo #CashApp

Aviation weather for Allegheny County airport in Pittsburgh area (USA) is “SPECI KAGC 231600Z 32012G21KT 1 1/4SM -SN BKN007 OVC021 M01/M04 A2995 RMK AO2 P0000 T10111039” : See what it means on https://www.bigorre.org/aero/meteo/kagc/en #alleghenycountyairport #airport #pittsburgh #usa #kagc #agc #metar #aviation #aviationweather #avgeek vl
Allegheny County airport in Pittsburgh (United State) aviation weather and informations KAGC AGC

Aviation weather with TAF and METAR, Maps, hotels and aeronautical information for Allegheny County airport in Pittsburgh (United State)

Bigorre.org

Acrisure Stadium

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrisure_Stadium

Capacity: 68400
Location: Pittsburgh, United States
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Panthers football

#Pittsburgh #UnitedStates #stadium #soccer #football #fussball #fedifc #mastodonFC

We had tiny bit of snow accumulation here in #pittsburgh overnight.
Pittsburgh's Golden Triangle is very walkable and many attractions are within walking distance from each other. This self-guided walking tour covers the highlights in architecture, history and culture.
#Pittsburgh https://backpackandsnorkel.com/USA/Pittsburgh/Walking-Tour/
Pittsburgh's Golden Triangle is very walkable and many attractions are within walking distance from each other. This self-guided walking tour covers the highlights in architecture, history and culture.
#Pittsburgh https://backpackandsnorkel.com/USA/Pittsburgh/Walking-Tour/
#Pittsburgh #CW (kdka+) is airing #Stealth movie

As WRCT 88.3 celebrates Massive Music Weekend, I've got a slam-bang set of pre-Beatles rock and pop for you from the '50s and early '60s. ** Please no phone calls this week — today's show is recorded. **

Only on Tube City Online Radio - McKeesport from 12 to 3 p.m. Eastern U.S. time ... go to https://www.tubecityonline.com/radio or find Tube City Online on Radio.Garden, TuneIn, Streema or other apps.

#Pittsburgh #oldies #radio

Aviation weather for Allegheny County airport in Pittsburgh area (USA) is “SPECI KAGC 211426Z 26007KT 10SM SCT025 01/M04 A3000 RMK AO2 T00111044” : See what it means on https://www.bigorre.org/aero/meteo/kagc/en #alleghenycountyairport #airport #pittsburgh #usa #kagc #agc #metar #aviation #aviationweather #avgeek vl
Allegheny County airport in Pittsburgh (United State) aviation weather and informations KAGC AGC

Aviation weather with TAF and METAR, Maps, hotels and aeronautical information for Allegheny County airport in Pittsburgh (United State)

Bigorre.org