Move and Safe Housing for Hailey (and Pets)
Donation protected
Moving? In this pandemic? It's more likely than you think.
Hello everyone, I'm Hailey/Haelan, an LGBTQ Southerner and I need some help. Let's start at the beginning. Last November I left my apartment in Atlanta to move back home with my parents in Alabama, using up much of my savings from the actual move and trying to get a job in a small town. The plan was always to work and put money back into savings so I could continue with my original plan of moving cross-country to be with my partner.
Then 2020 started up. I took an extended leave from work because my parents are high-risk and I work in retail. This blew the rest of my savings. And now staying at home with my parents has become nearly unbearable. They know I'm bisexual and that I have a partner who is also AFAB. They don't know I'm non-binary. And at this point, I'm too scared to come out to them again.
I'm constantly being berated for not doing enough around the house despite being an 'essential worker' and the only one with a job. I've been shamed about my weight, about my currently unmedicated depression, and about my thoughts on current events and politics (I'll give you a hint, I'm a lonely blue in a sea of red.)
Not to mention my parents are hoarders and the house is quite literally a disaster. My bathroom has no running water so I have to use their en-suite and the living room carpet has been stripped to the plywood underneath.
My parents allow their dogs to make messes on the floors (see the dark spots on the wood in the photo below, which is the hallway to my room) which I try to clean up after but I'm concerned this could get my own dog and cat sick. My mother has also threatened to keep my dog when I leave simply because I feed him on a set schedule and don't allow him to have people food, which she considers neglectful. I've caught her feeding him potentially harmful food like chocolate and fat trimmings from meat despite telling her not to. I used to work in the veterinary field and I know how to provide proper care of my pets but I don't know what he gives him while I'm at work all day.
All in all, I feel trapped and I'm worried for not only my mental health (especially post-election) but also for my pets' health. I've considered multiple options such as staying in-state and trying to save up money myself but I have no support system here. Moving cross-country with pets will be stressful but I will have not only my partner but more accepting relatives to help me get back on my feet. The only thing holding me back is moving expenses.
Let's break it down. I'm currently asking for $5000. I was in a car accident just before leaving Atlanta and I took a payment from my insurance company that I spent on that move, knowing repairs would be cheaper here. I estimate $500-$1000 to get a used hood and bumper for my car and to ensure it's safe for a long trip. I've decided not to rent a moving truck due to having my dog and cat with me so I'm going to have my belongings shipped which runs about $2000. I estimate the drive to take 5-6 days and for a motel, food, and gas to be ~$100 a day. The rest of the money would go towards my part of the rent and pet deposits. Anything extra would go towards paying for a vet visit for my dog and cat complete with interstate travel certificates and then an emergency stash in case I run into trouble on the trip.
I don't have many friends on social media so I'm not sure how successful this campaign will be. I ask if you can't spare the $5 or so to me, to please spread the word. And please donate to and share other campaigns as well, especially those for other LGBTQ individuals and POC at risk. This is a time when marginalized communities need to come together and support each other, and when those with the means can do a lot of good.
Hello everyone, I'm Hailey/Haelan, an LGBTQ Southerner and I need some help. Let's start at the beginning. Last November I left my apartment in Atlanta to move back home with my parents in Alabama, using up much of my savings from the actual move and trying to get a job in a small town. The plan was always to work and put money back into savings so I could continue with my original plan of moving cross-country to be with my partner.
Then 2020 started up. I took an extended leave from work because my parents are high-risk and I work in retail. This blew the rest of my savings. And now staying at home with my parents has become nearly unbearable. They know I'm bisexual and that I have a partner who is also AFAB. They don't know I'm non-binary. And at this point, I'm too scared to come out to them again.
I'm constantly being berated for not doing enough around the house despite being an 'essential worker' and the only one with a job. I've been shamed about my weight, about my currently unmedicated depression, and about my thoughts on current events and politics (I'll give you a hint, I'm a lonely blue in a sea of red.)
Not to mention my parents are hoarders and the house is quite literally a disaster. My bathroom has no running water so I have to use their en-suite and the living room carpet has been stripped to the plywood underneath.
My parents allow their dogs to make messes on the floors (see the dark spots on the wood in the photo below, which is the hallway to my room) which I try to clean up after but I'm concerned this could get my own dog and cat sick. My mother has also threatened to keep my dog when I leave simply because I feed him on a set schedule and don't allow him to have people food, which she considers neglectful. I've caught her feeding him potentially harmful food like chocolate and fat trimmings from meat despite telling her not to. I used to work in the veterinary field and I know how to provide proper care of my pets but I don't know what he gives him while I'm at work all day.
All in all, I feel trapped and I'm worried for not only my mental health (especially post-election) but also for my pets' health. I've considered multiple options such as staying in-state and trying to save up money myself but I have no support system here. Moving cross-country with pets will be stressful but I will have not only my partner but more accepting relatives to help me get back on my feet. The only thing holding me back is moving expenses.
Let's break it down. I'm currently asking for $5000. I was in a car accident just before leaving Atlanta and I took a payment from my insurance company that I spent on that move, knowing repairs would be cheaper here. I estimate $500-$1000 to get a used hood and bumper for my car and to ensure it's safe for a long trip. I've decided not to rent a moving truck due to having my dog and cat with me so I'm going to have my belongings shipped which runs about $2000. I estimate the drive to take 5-6 days and for a motel, food, and gas to be ~$100 a day. The rest of the money would go towards my part of the rent and pet deposits. Anything extra would go towards paying for a vet visit for my dog and cat complete with interstate travel certificates and then an emergency stash in case I run into trouble on the trip.
I don't have many friends on social media so I'm not sure how successful this campaign will be. I ask if you can't spare the $5 or so to me, to please spread the word. And please donate to and share other campaigns as well, especially those for other LGBTQ individuals and POC at risk. This is a time when marginalized communities need to come together and support each other, and when those with the means can do a lot of good.
Organizer
Haelan J
Organizer
Eufaula, AL