https://www.gofundme.com/f/spring-fundraiser-2024

//She:kon and Hello Friends, Comrades, and Kin//

My name is John Hill (most people call me Jo). I'm an Indigenous poet and artist. I'm starting this GoFundMe for my family who I live with. In January, I started a new position at my work which saw a reduction of hours per week by 1/3. In February my mother, following an extended sick leave, was informed that at the end of March she would lose her job. We are currently asking for financial help in order to sustain our needs while navigating this difficult time.

As a family we also face some challenges with our home. There are areas which need renovations, including the kitchen, second bathroom, and roof. Recently our oven stopped working and although we are able to get by with other appliances and our stovetop, we would like to eventually get a replacement oven.

Our current funding goals are as follows:

$2000.00 - Home Bills and Utilities (~1 Month)
$1500.00 - Home Renovations (Roof, Kitchen, Supplies + Labour)
$1500.00 - Oven Replacement (Price + Taxes + Delivery)

The amounts provided are guidelines for our goals. Any money recieved past our goal of $5000 will go towards food, cleaning supplies, and other regular or emergent expenses.

//Disclosures//

We are in the process of applying for programs to help with our home renovations and repairs, and we will provide updates on the success or status of those applications.

My mother's last day of work was March 31. Due to many delays outside of our control, we were only just able to apply for EI and will likely not see EI benefits until the end of April.

There are four people who live in the home. Myself and my sister are employed, my mother and stepfather are not. My mother is currently looking for full-time work and I am looking for freelance and casual/part-time opportunities. I also have commissions available via my Ko-fi Account

//Ending Statement//

Thank you very much for reading this. We understand deeply that there are many causes worthy of our attention. Please do not donate to this campaign if you are also struggling or going through it, as so many of us are. We will provide updates on changes to our situation as they arise. Thank you for your time. Nia:wen.

Hi, everyone!

Thank you to everyone who has shared the post, reached out in solidarity, and donated. We're at 720/5000 as of 04/22.

My whole family thanks everyone who has interacted with this fundraiser in any way. Thank you!

We've hit a small roadblock while applying for employment insurance. We don't know how long this will take to overcome, but we're hopeful it won't take too long.

Please continue to share, reach out, and donate if possible. Thank you so much.

Hi, Everyone.

Nothing too interesting to report update-wise. We think we've figured out the Employment Insurance problem and we're going to be reapplying today with hopes of some relief.

We are also preparing to submit our hydro electrical bill to a utilities relief program and hopefully get that covered. If that program comes through, we have enough to just about cover the purchase of a brand new oven which would be our next move.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out. Please continue sharing and spreading this call.

Hi, everyone!

I return with some good news!

First up, my mom has been approved for employment insurance. The first payment came in last Friday (May 17), and we'll be keeping up with that for the next 20 or so weeks. This money will help supplement our monthly bills and expenses.

Second, our hydro bill has been covered and we are no longer in arrears! Very exciting and comforting for us to be able to keep the fans and ac running as the days get hotter and hotter.

Third, we are going to be applying for some grants to help with our renovations.

Since the renovations are less of a priority, we're actually going to be shifting our focus of the GoFundMe to acquiring a new oven and a new bed for my mom. My parents have been sleeping on a broken bedframe and old mattress this entire time and it's contributed to aches and pains that inhibit their sleep. I'll be lowering the GoFundMe goal to $3500 dollars to cover the cost of a brand new bed, bedframe, and oven.

Thank you again for reading this update and please continue to share and spread this GoFundMe and thank you so much to those who have shared, donated, or reached out already. Thank you from all of us!

• Jo