Help for the Potters
Donation protected
The Potter family could use some help. They have spent the last 12 years making big sacrifices to get through school with minimal debt. Danny has almost completed his masters program. He was set to graduate in March. Unfortunately, one of his internship managers made a paperwork mistake. This led to Danny's school not accepting the last 6 months of his internship. The family is working with the school to get this decision reversed, but so far the administrators will not budge. They require Danny to do the last 6 months again.
Repeating 6 months of schooling puts an unforeseen financial strain on their family. They had enough money to get by until March. They are already making huge sacrifices, such as living without running water. Now they don't know how they'll make ends meet.
The Potters are one of the most self-sufficient families I know. They built a tiny home to save money, and strive to live simply. They are hardworking and charitable. They are used to spreading $20,000 over a whole year (which is incredible for a family of 6). Whether or not Danny has to repeat those 6 months, we hope you will consider helping the Potter family.
Money raised would go toward a place to rent or a spot to park their tiny house, as well as clothes, bills, licensure, and improvements to their tiny home as detailed below in Sara's story. Thank you for supporting this awesome family!
Here is their story, written by Sara:
Live for ten years how most people won’t, so that you can live in ten years how most people can’t.
This has been my mantra for twelve years.
Danny tuned pianos to pay the bills through school. I took care of our four kids and managed a side business.
The plan was to finish the masters program with as little expense as possible. Then Danny could get a Big-Boy job as a mental health counselor and we'd soon dig ourselves out of poverty and have enough to build good things, do good things, and share good things.
To this end we built a tiny house on the back of a used trailer. We moved in as soon as it was insulated to save money on rent. Danny picked up another job working nights and stopped sleeping.
We saved enough to relocate to rural Pennsylvania where land was cheap and mental health counselors were needed. Once here Danny started his internship working for a non-profit group helping a low-income community with addiction, mental health, and trauma.
We could see the light at the end of the ten-year tunnel. Soon we would be able to finish the plumbing in the tiny house and have showers more than once a week. We'd replace the hole-filled shirts, and the stucco smeared pants.
Then the light at the end of the ten-year tunnel went out.
Who am I kidding? It was a thirteen year tunnel. And now it's fourteen.
Someone dropped the ball. Danny turned in his paperwork, but someone else didn't, and so the last six-months of school don't count. He has to repeat it, and during that time we legally have to move out of my friend's backyard. Since we won't yet be able to afford our own land, that means rent.
We've been blessed with good friends, one of whom offered to do this crowdfunding for us. I don't know how much we need. What is need? I've learned to live without things that most people think are needs.
First, we'd take care of some small comforts that will make us feel more human: A few new clothes. Another space heater. More access to a shower and kitchen sink.
We'd set aside enough for bills, licensure, and a place to rent or a spot to park our tiny house.
If enough funds come in we'll start on our tiny house plumbing and rain-catchment systems. We'll finish our front door, and finally cover up the insulation on the inside of the house.
Danny's job prospects are limited because of the internship (which is unpaid), not to mention covid-19 limitations, but if he manages to land something then dare I hope for a small spot of land?
I believe in community. I believe in pulling together and supporting one another. It's what I've worked to be able to do for others. I hope to be at that point one day soon.
Thank you for reading my words.
-Sara
Organizer and beneficiary
Teresa Gashler
Organizer
Orem, UT
Sara R Potter
Beneficiary