Help Kira Replace Her Work Computer after Theft

Hello: my name is Dr. Kira Williams; I'm trans, genderqueer, two-spirit and a critical human geographer who was recently a post-doctoral fellow at Wilfrid Laurier University. For more about me, see my professional website. I am fundraising to replace my stolen work computer which I lost during two months of homelessness in Toronto (approximately late-August to mid-October). During a trip to Toronto, in August, I had to stay in homeless shelters after losing my identification documents; during this time, all my possessions were repeatedly stolen from me, including my Dell XPS 13 9310 - a computer worth $3,000. I use this computer to secure my livelihood, including working from home. I also have a new job lined up which will require having a new computer to operate remote servers and a computer lab. For those who know me, my computer not only brings my livelihood but secures my comfort and means a lot to my everyday functioning. I have a specialised operating system planned for my future work.

 

You can see photos of the stolen computer with this fundraiser, along with me in a striped dress from this summer, when my health was better. I will need the funds from this fundraiser by 30 November in order to fund my new computer order as soon as possible.

 

During my homelessness episode, not only did I lose my possessions and identity documents, I became extremely mentally ill and suffered from massive bacterial infections in my legs, from which I nearly died. The purpose of this fundraiser is not to cover costs lost, but simply to help prepare me for work again. Any money you donate to me will directly go to the replacement costs for a new Dell XPS 9310 and one sleeve (see Dell's website for more information on my replacement costs). Any money you can contribute to this end would be much appreciated.

 

I plan to pay any money I receive forward. Assuming my new job working with Wilfrid Laurier University goes as planned, one year from now, I will donate up to 50% of the funds I make here to a trans health-related charity. When this happens, I will poll people here and on my social media accounts about to whom I should donate the funds.

 

Thank you so much for your time and donation. Any amount you can give me contributes to me getting back off my feet and pursuing a life I love. I am surrounded by friends and family who support me, and you remind me of this. <3