I am a 44 year old man living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I recently became unemployed after working full time for the same company for over 15 years. I have had full time work for over 20 years, so I am not used to being unemployed, and, my living situation is going to change drastically. A change that could eventually leave me homeless.

I have gone from making $23,000.00 a year to zero income, and my unemployment checks have stopped coming. I have gone for over 2 months with no income, getting by on what little money I have been saving. That money is quickly running out, and I will have nothing in a short time. I am very afraid of what will happen in the coming months. If I do not get some kind of income soon. I will most likely end up homeless.

I am not only worried for me. Out of the goodness of my heart, I took in a friend who was down on his luck a few years ago. He is a stroke/heart attack survivor, who also lost his job, and has not worked in 6 years! His health is not the best. However, if it wasn't for his minimal pension, and food stamps we would be lucky to get by. (His pension is only $130.00 a month.)

Our living situation is this. He pays the electric, phone, and internet bill, and buys groceries with his food stamp allowance. I pay the rent, car payment, insurance, and cell phone bill. The apartment complex we live in is full of drug dealers, and thugs, with the police arriving here to arrest someone on a daily basis. Horrible! considering that I once had a beautiful 3 bedroom home, that I had to walk away from, because I could not afford it.

Besides my friends minimal help with the basics, I pay the rent $650.00,
Car Payment $195.00, Insurance $125.00, Cell service $65.00 (under contract)
and $100.00 a month for credit card debit. Not to mention the $100.00 a month I spend on gasoline, driving around from business to business looking for a job. in an economy where nobody is hiring! We all know the price of gas is high right? Which brings my total monthly bills to $1,135.00. How do you find that much money with zero income! Hopefully from asking from Kind people like you!

People ask me why I don't just apply for welfare. I have checked into it. The people at social services tell me that my rent is too high, and, I would have to relocate into government housing. Which basically means living in a one room apartment with a shotgun under the bed for $300.00 a month. I would rather have an iron spike driven into my heart! NO THANKS!! I have been to those places, and would not wish them on my worst enemy.

So they say. What about other agencies? Are you kidding me? I gave a portion of my check to the United way every week for 15 years. Do you think they would offer to help me? NO!! They are in the money pocketing business.
Trust me, I asked, and was immediately turned down, saying that I was not eligible...for what? I also called 211, and they told me the same thing, only because I do not have any minor children living in my home.

This kills me, because I have always been the one to give. I donated to the United way for years. (NEVER AGAIN!) I have also been that guy that drops his spare change in the red kettle at the salvation army, and I even gave money to a guy who was holding up a homeless sign just a few weeks ago, even when I had barely enough to help myself. Mainly because I see myself holding up that sign if I don't get help from somewhere soon. It's very sad.

This is the main reason I chose this website, because I can honestly tell you that I will use the money for exactly what I say I will use if or. If 30 people send me just $1.00 a day for a month. buy the end of the month I will have $900.00. Which will be enough to pay my rent, and car payment. Then, I'll have to find another way to pay the rest of my bills.

My goal is to get more donations than what I need. If I surpass the amount I need. I will give the spare change to that salvation army kettle, or that local homeless guy. All it takes is a little help from people like you.

I'm sorry. I sometimes go on and on about things I am passionate about. And, helping people is one of those things. I hope someone out there will find it in their hearts to help me at a time when I need it most.

Thanks for reading this. hope you can give to someone in need.
My name is Brian...

Thankyou for caring.