Living in My car In a Church Parking Lot...

[Ami529]

So, after I became homeless February, my car eventually wouldn't even start without having to be jump started every time because the battery was just gone. I've been given permission to park in a church parking lot and have been stuck there since November of last year. Even though I'm not Christian, I thought maybe some of that Christian generosity wouldn't be so bad. I was always up front, saying that I'm not really a religious person though I haven't come outright and said I was an atheist. I was given a free bible, access to their wifi, and people are always offering to pray for me. I've been given a few dollars here and there, and people have said they would look for opportunities to help me get into some stable housing, but all I've been offered so far is the opportunity to spend nights in coed homeless shelters that treat everyone like criminals.

So, recently, I've been told that I can't stay in this parking lot forever and of course I know that. I think part of it is because I try to avoid the Sunday services I'm always invited to. I went to them at first, but the only help anyone has provided is the "power of prayer." There were some talks about raising some funds, and some people have told me they've given more than usual at collection so the church could help me, but it hasn't even been offered.

I'm just stuck. Depressed, crying all the time, stuck. The most I can do right now is try to find another parking lot to get my car to. I've been able to get limited assistance because I'm autistic, but that's it. I even got a free state-funded cell phone from SafeLink. I'm willing to give my # to anyone who wants to call and is willing to help to see how real my situation is and that I'm a real person. I only get 250 minutes a month, though.

Anyway, the point of all this is, is I'm looking for help from the atheist community who can empathize with my situation and can help in anyway, even if it is just sharing the fundraiser page I created at: <snip>

I am not good at this stuff and I've never raised funds for anything. I've looked at other fundraisers that were successful and I just don't understand what I'm doing wrong. It seems like I would have better luck if I were a cute, homeless puppy that needed fertility treatments. But I'm not. I'm a real person who just wants to finish my degree, get my debt to a manageable level, and have an actual place to live with a refrigerator and a bathroom.

Also, I would welcome any fundraising tips from anyone who has some experience. I've done everything the website has told me to do, but I don't really have any friends or know anyone that has the resources to help me.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

[The Grand Nudger]

Try the WWOOF.

[Cinjin]

I don't believe this for a moment.

We've got homeless people crawling all over our city and 99% of them deserve to be homeless.

This smells like a scam. If you have a computer and a working knowledge of how to type the English language, and the ability to set up a web page and express yourself without any trouble whatsoever, than you have MORE than what it takes to get out into the real world and get a fucking job. Autistic my ass.

A scammer preying on the gullible.

[Napoléon]

[ShaMan]

I would welcome any fundraising tips...

Maybe getting a job would be a good method of "raising funds"

[Napoléon]

Maybe getting a job would be a good method of "raising funds"

Yeah, I'm sure they just hand out jobs to homeless people.

[ShaMan]

Maybe getting a job would be a good method of "raising funds"

Yeah, I'm sure they just hand out jobs to homeless people.

I was homeless, living in my car for 18 months, and I had a job the entire time. So yes... If someone (homeless or otherwise) makes the effort, and has follow-through, then there are jobs for whomever most applies themselves.

[Ami529]

Wow. Well, getting a job isn't easy when you are "living" in the middle of nowhere. Nobody in the city is going to let you park for free for any period of time. I've been parked her for 8 months. I have limited transportation options at the moment, I don't have an address, and yes, I am autistic with extremely limited work experience. But, besides all that, I'm just completely shocked by the responses. I'm not used to a lack of empathy from other atheists. I firmly believe in skepticism, but if it would make anyone who is interested in helping me with the situation I'm in, I would gladly give them my phone number as long as they understood that I only get 250 minutes of free time per month on this phone and I cannot afford to buy more minutes so the call has to be short.

It takes a lot of courage for people to ask for help. Please remember that your words hurt, even on the Internet. There are also plenty of ways to help even if you can't help financially. You can like the page, and you can show support by becoming a supporter, you can share the page, or you can even just send hugs to show that you care about another person. I'm not just asking for financial help. I've also been struggling with depression and isolation...

[Napoléon]

I was homeless, living in my car for 18 months, and I had a job the entire time. So yes... If someone (homeless or otherwise) makes the effort, and has follow-through, then there are jobs for whomever most applies themselves.

So if you had one the entire time then you didn't apply for a job whilst actually being homeless. So how can you say homeless people can get jobs? You only had one because you had one from before you became homeless. Most businesses won't go near you if you can't give them a home address when you apply.

[ShaMan]

Please remember that your words hurt, even on the Internet.

My "words" are concise, accurate, sincere and honest (and furthermore contain personal experience) - I made no insult, nor did I use any offensive or derogatory language - neither did I berate you in any manner. Any perceived offense is your own projection onto what was written in earnest.