I'm raising money for arts & crafts so I can start my own buisness**.

Why I'm using HandUp for arts & crafts.

I am fundraising because I lost a lot and since I have been on the streets. I lost all my crafts and through storage that my ex-husband put in my name and lost thousands worth of crafts that I was doing for years for my family. I was going to start my own business with this. I like painting, crafting for weddings and Quinceañeras. I can buy things at dollar stores and my goal is to really start this so I can go back to a normal life before the divorce. I am also looking for housing but I am doing that in other platforms. I'd love to be an event coordinator or a wedding planner.

** NOTE TO DONORS: We value your donations, and respect your intention to support people in need with their specific fundraising goals. On occasion, the immediate needs or an emergency may arise, and a Participant might require support in another way for safety, health, housing, or employment. As such, your donation may be used for an immediate basic need not mentioned in the above goal, such as groceries, health costs, or housing support. Any changes will always be approved in advance by PHC Staff. We will provide up to date information on how these funds are being used through an update on HandUp. By making a donation to this campaign, you are confirming your approval of this potential change. If you have any questions, or do not wish that your donation be used for any alternative goals, please contact PHC staff directly.

We greatly appreciate your support to our Participants!

About me.

I was born and raised in San Francisco, CA. My family is from Central America. I started as a young child working as a cashier and with fast food. Since I had my kids young I had to stop and mother them. I had help from father to support them and family. I have 2 daughters who are doing great. I love San Francisco and I would never move from here. I am divorced and starting over at 50. I am trying to get back on my feet and take care of myself again.

My backstory.

Through a bad divorce I got to my current situation because I did not prepare myself for the worse. He did not prepare me either, everything happened so sudden I did not have a chance for anything. I realized I was homeless and I was with my puppy. With the puppy, everyone made it so hard. Family and no one would take me with her. Because of leases, allergies and all these different situations they weren't allowed to. When I came here I did not about shelters or resources so I was just on the street and wandering, feeling lost. I was never homeless before and I have never been like this before for as long as I have been, over a year. July 2016. My biggest challenge was my pride. My pride did not let me tell people my exact situation and receive help. I said I was homeless but I did not let go. It did not hit me until a year later where my current situation really is. You loose things over and over when you are homeless. $100 for a hotel room a night so just so quickly and then you are back on the street. The money is too much. In the shelter you can get bed bugs and items stolen from you, people are fighting. It makes it too hard.

My goals, moving forward.

My goal is to become more independent, get permanent housing, stay positive and not forget where I came from. I would like to give back to the community that has given to me during this horrible experience.

Other things I'd like to share about myself.

It makes me happy when I see in the community so many people that are giving back. It's nice to see people out there. All the people out there that are giving food out to the homeless. You are sitting outside and you see people and children coming out to give lunch and food. A little girl just came out the door to say "I wanted to share." Things like that make me happy. My dream is to open up my own independent business, have a home and my own puppy.