[DocJohn]

Hi folks,

Well, summertime is nearly over as the kids and young adults head back to school shortly.

Many of you know cielpur, who's been a member here since September 2013. She's in a financial bind due to a loss of employment, and really needs some help to make ends meet until the next job. I'll let her explain more if she feels comfortable doing so.

She has submitted an application, which has been reviewed and approved, for a Community Connection Grant from our nonprofit, the Psych Central Community Connection.

I know these are still tough economic times for many people, but I want you to seriously consider donating to this Community Fund Drive. I know that a financial contribution may not be possible, so if that's the case, please leave your prayers and thoughts privately or in this thread.

Psych Central will match dollar for dollar of every dollar donated (up to the maximum of $250; $500 total to the member). Every dollar counts, so even if you can afford just $5, please consider this request.

Donations can be made through PayPal (using your credit card or bank account) to us at:

DONATE | Psych Central Community Connection

Otherwise, send your check or money order (no cash, please) to:

Psych Central Community Connection
55 Pleasant St., Suite 207
Newburyport, MA 01950

Everyone who donates gets access to our exclusive Poohbah Forum, and our thanks for helping out another member in need in our community. In addition, donations are tax deductible as allowable by law, as the Psych Central Community Connection is a recognized 501(c)3 public charity.

This Community Fund Drive will run for approximately one week; donations will close on Monday, August 28, 2017.

As always, I thank you for your kind consideration and support.

Best,
DocJohn

The banner at the top of the page still refers to the previous "target" of a community fund drive, namely Yoda.

I hope people will be able to donate. Thinking of you, Cielpur.

I will donate this Fri when I get my first paycheck from my new job.

That is the best I can do.

Thank you breadfish. I hope that people will donate too. I know one member already did bc they messaged me that they did.

I lost my temp job two weeks ago, which has made it impossible for my to pay my bills or upcoming September rent. I've been calling temp agencies, emailing my resumes to prospective employers, and hoping that I can get another contract temp assignment asap. I also substitute teach, but school doesn't start until late September, so I am really struggling with how to come up with money to pay my bills. I also already went to a food shelf, which you can only visit once a month, and there are only 2 food shelves in my zip code where I can go.

If anyone can donate even a small amount to me, I will be forever grateful. It will help me through this rough patch. I'm most concerned with being able to pay September's rent. My rent is $799 so any amount donated will go immediately towards paying that off. My car payment, car insurance, utility bill, gas, and groceries are secondary to getting my rent paid.

Thanks for reading and for help of any amount. I'm really depressed about my situation b/c I never expected this to happen to me but it did.

I'm grateful that Psych Central has a community fund drive for its members. Otherwise, I don't know what I'd do.

Originally Posted by DarknessIsMyFriend

I will donate this Fri when I get my first paycheck from my new job.

That is the best I can do.

Thank you Darkness! That is so kind! Any amount you can help me with will go towards paying my rent for September. Thank you so much for your kindness. It means a lot to me.

[LostOnTheTrail]

Chipped in. Good luck!

Originally Posted by LostOnTheTrail

Chipped in. Good luck!

Thank you LostOnTheTrail so much for your donation. I am really grateful to you, for your willingness to help me out during this stressful time in my life.

Why do I feel like Blanche DuBois all of the sudden, from that play a StreetCar Named Desire...who always depended on the kindness of strangers (her famous line in the play). LOL

Thank you for your donation. It will definitely help me towards paying my rent for September.

[Tamster]

did what i could right now ciel but come first of the month i will be back. You are being strong and doing all the right things to get to the next month. I know you are scared i hope we can help calm the fear you have right now.
take care and good luck/
you know were to find me , tams

Originally Posted by Tamster

did what i could right now ciel but come first of the month i will be back. You are being strong and doing all the right things to get to the next month. I know you are scared i hope we can help calm the fear you have right now.
take care and good luck/
you know were to find me , tams

Thanks so much Tams for your donation regardless of the amount. And thank you for your kind words of encouragement. I think DocJohn is going to close my fundraiser on August 28th so whatever you contributed now to my fund is just fine, because every little bit will help me out. You've definitely calmed the fear I have right now with your kindness. Thank you.

[shezbut]

I can always understand being stuck in a rough patch ~ I think that most of us have had those at some time or other in life. I hope that we're able to boost a helpful amount for you, cielpur.

I've given all that I can afford to give (at this time), but please know that you are in my thoughts. I wish you the best!

Thank you shezbut for your donation. I'm so grateful to members like you and the others here who've donated whatever they can, to help me through this really rough patch in my life. Every little bit counts. I am grateful to everyone who's chosen to help me. It means a lot.

[reb569]

I've made a donation. Best of luck getting through this tough time.

Originally Posted by reb569

I've made a donation. Best of luck getting through this tough time.

Thank you reb569 for your donation, it will help me so much! Every little bit counts towards helping me get back on my feet. I'm really overwhelmd by the response and kindness of the members who've donated to help me this far. It does mean a lot. My rent is $799 and my bills are $713 so every little bit helps.

[TheDragon]

Is there any way to see how much of the target we're at like GoFundMe or other such websites?

Also, if the community donates more than $250, does cielpur still get the excess, even when PC doesn't match donations anymore?

Originally Posted by TheDragon

Is there any way to see how much of the target we're at like GoFundMe or other such websites?

Also, if the community donates more than $250, does cielpur still get the excess, even when PC doesn't match donations anymore?

I was told that no, I won't get the excess. I guess that goes into the fund for the next PC members who needs help. I get $500 which I guess is the maximum one can receive. But I'm very grateful for that amount because I will pay most of my rent with that, and pay the rest late so that at least will give me time to find another temp job.

[seesaw]

I'm sorry I can't donate. My own bank account is in the negative and my cards are maxed because I am also unemployed and have been so since the beginning of July. Then my car broke down and I had to pump almost all I had saved, which would have gotten me through two good months, into the damn car.

Good luck, cielpur. I hope you get all you need to make it through the month.

Seesaw

[Hairball]

I know how if feels, it is very scarry and it seems like all your options are gone. I am always greatful that PC has a fund like this for people like you who just need an extra boost.

I donated what I could to you

Originally Posted by seesaw

I'm sorry I can't donate. My own bank account is in the negative and my cards are maxed because I am also unemployed and have been so since the beginning of July. Then my car broke down and I had to pump almost all I had saved, which would have gotten me through two good months, into the damn car.

Good luck, cielpur. I hope you get all you need to make it through the month.

Seesaw

Don't worry about it Seesaw. Sorry to hear you're in the same boat. I went to the grocery store today to buy food and was over what I could afford, and so I told the grocery store clerk to just void my purchases and walked out of the grocery store. But a woman came out running after me shouting, "come back! The woman standing in line behind you wants to pay for your food!" So, i humbly walked back into the grocery store, thanked the woman, then burst into tears. She gave me a hug and I pretty much cried the entire drive home.

Originally Posted by Hairball

I know how if feels, it is very scarry and it seems like all your options are gone. I am always greatful that PC has a fund like this for people like you who just need an extra boost.

I donated what I could to you

Thanks Hairball for your kindness! I'm mad that I'm in this situation, because I only have myself to blame for being stuck in temp-limbo instead of secure in a nice full-time job, vulnerable to the whims of temp agency branch managers and contract supervisors' personalities. People who have never been in this situation have no idea how scary it is. I see homeless people with signs while I drive to the library to use their computers to look for jobs, and my heart sinks because I can't even help them!

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm so sorry to hear you're in this situation. Unemployment is always hard. I can't donate money unfortunately (for several reasons) but just know that you're in my thoughts. You're very strong by dealing with all of this, and I admire you for that

[ramennoodles]

I don't have a lot of money right now, but I wanted to donate a little. I hope things work out for you. Good luck.

Originally Posted by MickeyCheeky

I'm so sorry to hear you're in this situation. Unemployment is always hard. I can't donate money unfortunately (for several reasons) but just know that you're in my thoughts. You're very strong by dealing with all of this, and I admire you for that

Thank you MickeyCheeky for keeping me in your thoughts. I'll take donations of positive energy too! Can never have enough of that.

Originally Posted by ramennoodles

I don't have a lot of money right now, but I wanted to donate a little. I hope things work out for you. Good luck.

Thank you ramennoodles for donating even a little because it really will help. I appreciate your kind words too.

[DocJohn]

Sorry, no, there's no funding indicator.

Our maximum grant amount has always been $500. I'm sorry there was any confusion related to this, as it's always been clearly stated on the grant application guidelines page.

We do not allow members to solicit individual members for money in our community. The community fund drive was setup to help determine legitimate needs in a centralized manner, and disburse money through our associated non-profit (so people could receive a tax charity credit if they so choose).

DocJohn

[reb569]

I didn't realize the program existed. It's great that we as a community can help out in this way.

[lindamine]

I just tried to donate and when it is supposed to bring me to pay pal after I complete the form, it is just a white page.

I think something is wrong...nothing got charged on my pay pal.

Can anybody help with this?

Thanks guys!

[lindamine]

Has anybody else experienced trouble donating?
I can't seem to post to it, even tried through different
links on the page.
I would love to contribute. What little I can in money but
greatly with spirit and prayers.
Thanks,
Linda