(Updates at end of the narrative) Hi, we’re Kinsey, Tiffany and Carrie. We work for an art outreach organization in the Tampa Bay Area and we just learned that one of the community teens we met through our work (and have known for five years) is experiencing homelessness*. It was news he shared with us with much hesitation because he didn’t want us to worry and because he wants us to be proud of him. This is a youth who was abandoned by his parent during his early teens, but he was not taken into state custody so he doesn’t qualify for state benefits. He was bounced around a lot from ages 14-18 and as he is now technically an adult he does not qualify for the social support programs for children. We’re trying to find programs he qualifies for, but in the meantime we want to help him address an immediate need. Currently his vehicle is the only stable shelter he has. If he loses that, he’ll be on the streets, literally. Despite having a steady job (overnight stocking shelves at a big box store) his auto insurance was just sharply increased to the point that he cannot afford to pay. He shopped around for policies and found a quote for one he could manage to pay monthly, so together with him we called the insurance company. They let him know that they would only insure him if the annual policy was paid in full. It was heartbreaking to hear him receive this info. Needless to say, our young friend cannot afford that. He’s worked so hard over the years we’ve known him to navigate the systems and build his life. As we all do, sometimes he would experience an unexpected expense or tough break. Without a family to act as a safety net, those times were especially difficult for him, but he was always resilient and kept pushing forward. We helped as we could, but this is a big one and he’s feeling overwhelmed. And it’s not something our small team can do on our own, so we need to put the call out to the community. We’re hoping to raise enough for him to pay his auto policy in full for one year—to give him some stability, a much needed break and some breathing room. His birthday is at the end of July and for a kid who has never had a birthday celebration, it would be so great if the community could work together to help him out. We know the times are tight for so many, even a little will help make a difference…you know, many hands. Thanks for reading this far. We hope if you’re able you’ll consider joining us to help him out. *Despite this hardship, he is currently hosting a peer-fundraiser on social for the nonprofit we work for. This is the kind of person he is. _____ 8/2/23 Update: We are increasing the goal to help DeonDre cover first & last month’s rent and a security deposit so that he can move into an apartment and finally have stable housing. Anything donated above that will help him with living expenses. Thank you, everyone. Huge gratitude to all who have supported so far, DeonDre is blown away by your generosity. 7/28/23 Update: We are increasing the goal in hopes of raising enough for him to pay off a credit card that he’s been using for emergencies ($400), and to a cover this month’s phone bill & some living expenses ($200). We’re grateful to everybody who has contributed so far, this bit of financial breathing room is the break he’s been needing. Thank you from our team and our young friend. 7/27/23 Update: we worked together with you all to raise enough funds to cover his policy, so he can keep his car legally insured. We increased the goal to $3,500 to help him make a payment on his credit card, and to cover some fees and other bills he has. ________
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