CMTY SUPPORT: Help West Pay (back)Rent and Food

This is embarrassing - not because I have a need for community support, but because I thought that I had turned a leaf and was able to support myself.

Here’s what’s been happening with me & why I need y’all’s support:

At the end of last year, I was let go from my job at the Montessori School — there were unresolvable differences between my lead teacher & I, and the school (despite my best efforts) couldn’t find space for me elsewhere. This is a whole saga that I won’t write much about but I say despite my best efforts -- I say despite my best efforts because months prior to being let go I saw a way to alleviate not only my and my leads issue but a potential issue for another pair, but I was reprimanded for speaking with the affected parties “behind my principal’s back” — the kicker is that 2 months later the solution I proposed was implemented just without me or my lead teacher being relieved. I was given severance pay which I thought went until the end of February (and would have covered my March rent) but was reminded a bit too late that my severance pay ended on February 15th.

I went to Germany, and many folks may think “well I saw you took a fun trip to Germany but now you need help, this must be your failing”. Thankfully, my trip to Germany was completely covered — I paid $200 out of pocket for all of the expenses I occurred.

While in Germany, I still took time to apply for jobs back in Ithaca. I interviewed for an Operation Manager position at a local bookstore and received an offer. I left Germany excited that I was able to land a job for my return. But when I got back to Ithaca, I met with my would-be manager and, the day after, my offer was rescinded. I don’t have definitive evidence but I have strong feelings toward the idea that my former principal tanked my application.

I have applied for unemployment and still have not received it. I applied for food stamps and still have not received it. And I have still applied for other jobs and am waiting to hear back from 2 promising interviews I had this week.

Still, I used the money I had saved for travel (that I thankfully didn’t have to use), and for my name change, to pay 1/2 rent for March, a few of my other bills, and food.

I am worried that I will lose my first ever solo apartment, and I’ve honestly been dealing with food scarcity (I’ve had rice and beans for the past 2 weeks). I need help paying for April rent, covering the rest of March rent, and a few other bills. Any amount helps! Sharing amongst your network helps if you’re not able to donate at this time.