My name is Joey. I am a resident of Harris County, Texas. I never imagined I would be writing something like this. But life has a way of humbling you and teaching you that sometimes the strongest thing you can do is ask for help.

Last year I was injured and lost my job because of it. In one moment everything changed. The paycheck I depended on was gone. The stability I had built was gone. But my bills did not stop. My rent did not stop. Life did not stop.

Since then I have been fighting every single day to get back on my feet. I am not the kind of person who gives up. I am not the kind of person who sits around waiting for someone else to fix my problems. I wake up every day and I fight.

I applied for unemployment benefits and was denied. I am currently appealing that decision. I receive SNAP benefits for food but that is the only help I have. I have zero income right now. And my rent is due.

Here is what I want you to know about me. I am doing everything in my power to help myself. I have called and visited over 40 organizations looking for rental assistance. I have contacted Harris County Social Services, the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul, Cypress Assistance Ministries, and many more. I have reached out to churches across my community asking for help through benevolence funds. I have written letters to fraternal organizations. I have enrolled in workforce training programs to get back into the job market. I am working with financial coaches. I have applied everywhere I can apply and called everyone I can call.

I am not here because I did not try. I am here because I tried everything and I still need help.

I am not asking for a fortune. I am asking for enough to keep a roof over my head for one month while I continue fighting to get back to work and get my life back on track. Every single dollar makes a difference. Five dollars matters. Ten dollars matters. Even sharing this page with someone who might be able to help matters more than you know.

I do not have an eviction notice yet because I refuse to let it get that far. I am getting ahead of this. I am doing everything the right way. I just need a bridge to get me from where I am to where I am going. And I am going forward. That is the only direction I know.

I believe that God puts people in our lives exactly when we need them. I believe He is working through this situation even when I cannot see the full picture. And I believe that whoever is reading this right now was meant to read it. Whether you can give or whether you can pray or whether you can simply share this with someone else — you are part of my journey and I am grateful for you.

When I get through this — and I will — I am going to remember what it felt like to need help. And I am going to spend the rest of my life being the person who gives it. That is my promise.

Thank you for reading my story. Thank you for caring about a stranger. And thank you for whatever you are able to do.

With faith and gratitude,

Joey

Harris County, Texas