An Artist, Soldier, & Student in Need

My name is Casllie Scott, but to some, I’m known as Joan Arcc—a childhood name given to me by my mother. From the time I was little, I have always put others before myself, often out of habit, always wanting to help in any way I could. Whether through my military service, volunteering, or simply lending a hand to someone in need, I have always believed in doing right by people. But now, for the first time in my life, I am in a situation where I need help.

On January 27th, while waiting for an Uber ride request, I was approached by a man at a gas station asking for help. Wanting to assist, I agreed to give him a short ride, even helping him load parts of his broken bike into my car. But in an instant, my life changed. As I closed my trunk, he jumped into the driver’s seat, slammed the car door on my hand, and tried to steal my vehicle. I fought back, climbing in to stop him, but he reversed into oncoming traffic, threatening, “I’m going to crash your car.” And then he did.

The impact left my car completely totaled, my face bruised, and my future uncertain. But this wasn’t just any car—it was my miracle car, the first vehicle I had ever financed on my own. I had only had it since November 2024, making just four successful payments before it was taken from me. Despite having an APR of 29.75%, I was able to keep up with my $556 monthly payments, determined to build my credit and achieve something on my own. Now, I am left with no transportation, and because of my insurance policy, I must either pay the deductible to settle the claim or continue making payments on a car I no longer have until the loan is fully paid off.

Since I was doing Uber at the time, the company provided me with a rental car for a month, but after that, I have no idea how I will get another car—even a cheap one. I fear I will have to drop out of school because I won’t have reliable transportation. I currently attend American Career College in Ontario, studying to become a surgical technologist, a career I chose because of my passion for medicine and helping others. I live 30-45 minutes from my college, and while it’s easy to ask someone to drive you 10 minutes, it’s much harder to ask someone to drive you 30 minutes every day.

Beyond the financial struggles, I keep replaying the moment in my head, wondering what I could have done differently to get him out of my car. I have always done right by people—I give back, I help others, and I do my best to make a difference in the world. Even when my National Guard unit was not activated, I volunteered to assist during the LA fires, stepping up when others needed help. Yet here I am, facing one of the hardest struggles of my life, wondering how someone could do this to me when all I’ve ever done is try to help others.

I have applied for the Victim of a Crime Fund, but I was told it could take up to two years to receive aid. Meanwhile, I am two months behind on rent, struggling with my car payments on a totaled vehicle, and trying to keep up with daily expenses. I have applied for several school scholarships and even considered taking out student loans I don’t need, but I have not heard back yet and hesitate to take on unnecessary debt.

My art career was finally gaining traction on social media, but I have yet to sell an original painting. My TikTok Shop has brought in some print sales, but because Printify requires upfront production and shipping costs, I can’t afford to fulfill those orders. @ JOANARRT_ . Since the event I’ve suffered from insomnia and find comfort going live on my art TikTok where I’ve build a community. For the 1st 2 weeks I was stuck in the house so I just started painting that was the only thing that stopped my mind from going to a dark place.

I’ve been serving in the national guard since 2016 and just reenlisted for another 3, hoping the bonus I get can help but I won’t be able to touch it until the end of this physical year. My unit is in Bartow and I live in La puente.

My art website : http://Joan-Arcc-art.square.site

Is currently under construction but I plan to post my original art pieces to hopefully generate a sale. I sale more prints than originals but I’m grateful however I’ll have to pause all orders.

I am too talented and too kind of a person to be struggling this hard. I have always believed in lifting others up, but right now, I need help to keep going.

I only have this rental car for 4 more weeks before it has to go back. I’m not sure if I can get an extension through Uber insurance. And if I can’t get a car I feel I would have no choice but to stop college and get a local job. College was already put on hold from me twice with deployments and stateside active orders. I feel that since I’ll be the first generation in my family to go to college I think everything is trying to stop me.

I’ve only lived in California since November 2023. It’s a whole different continent here. Everything is different, people aren’t as nice, more so envious and desperate. It scares me.

I call it the “ California newcomer curse” I designated myself to be the one to break the generational curse. I refuse to go home without following my dream in California.

Sometimes I can’t tell what path I’m on with god. They always say that if your on the wrong path god will put things in front of you to try to get to back on track. They also say that if your on the right bath god will put stuff in front of you to make you stronger for the plans he has waiting in store. But I don’t know what path I’m on and I constantly think about it. No matter how much good I put out and try to give back I just feel like bad is always around the corner. Things that have never happened to me in life has started happening since I moved to California. But I am strong and I thank the military for giving me thick skin. I will get through this. And I will still give back and be kind to others but I will give myself limitations. That was the first and last time I give anyone a ride that I do not know. That is also the first time I had a good deed backfire on me but I will not let that stop my fight

Donations will go towards cost beyond what my insurance covers including;

• A reliable car so I can continue school and work.

• Rent and essential bills to keep me afloat.

• Paying off my car deductible or remaining car balance.

• Supporting my art business, which is a critical income source.

I am a soldier, artist, future surgical technologist, and fighter, but right now, I need help to keep moving forward. Any donation, big or small, would mean the world to me. If you can’t donate, supporting my art and sharing this campaign would also be a huge help.

Thank you for believing in me and helping me turn my pain into purpose.