Ok... so hello?

[Ami529]

So, I made an account... and... it told me to introduce myself. So, hi, my name is Ami. I've been living with autism for 34 years although I wasn't diagnosed until I was 4. I've been living in my car since February 2013 as well as going to school. I signed up to search around and see if anyone had tips on fundraising for people in this kind of situation.

 

[King_Oni]

Hi Ami, welcome to the forum

As for your personal situation; sounds rough living in a car. I wouldn't know about any fundraising for people in your situation. What country are you from? I know that there are plenty of countries that have some kind of a support system set up so people don't have to live in cars.

Perhaps that might give people on the forum some better insights on what places to contact to get it all sorted out.

 

[Ereth]

Hello, Ami!

You should find a women's shelter or something like that. Surely you can get some help there while you figure out what to do next.

 

[Ami529]

united states. my car counts as an asset, so public assistance thinks i'm " too rich to assist" and there a no women's shelter that's actually close enough to where i'm going to school. there are shelters, though, but they are actually more troublesome to deal with. they treat homeless people like child criminals. i recently started a fundraiser at Homeless Autistic seeks aid with devastating debt but I don't have any experience with this kind of thing. i'm not a cute homeless puppy or someone who needs fertility treatments, so it's not something that is easy to get donations for.

 

[KassieMac]

united states. my car counts as an asset, so public assistance thinks i'm " too rich to assist" and there a no women's shelter that's actually close enough to where i'm going to school. there are shelters, though, but they are actually more troublesome to deal with. they treat homeless people like child criminals. i recently started a fundraiser at Homeless Autistic seeks aid with devastating debt but I don't have any experience with this kind of thing. i'm not a cute homeless puppy or someone who needs fertility treatments, so it's not something that is easy to get donations for.

I posted it to twitter (I have three accounts … don't ask) … I wish I could donate, or do more, but I hope some good will come of it. Many of my twitter friends are extremely kind-hearted.

 

[Ami529]

Even a share is greatly appreciated. I don't have a very big network myself, being in the situation I'm in. Thank you so very much. And I created a post that explains my situation in this thread:

https://www.aspiescentral.com/threads/living-in-my-car-in-a-church-parking-lot.7955/

If anyone has an questions for you.

There's also HUGS, a SUPPORT button and a LIKE button on the page. There's plenty of ways to help even if you can't financially. I don't want anyone to be in anything close to my situation, so if you have to go without in order to donate, please don't donate. The other support features are there for that reason.

 

[Loomis]

my car counts as an asset, so public assistance thinks i'm " too rich to assist"

Do they know your car does not run? A non-running car does not have a lot of value.

 

[livingaspie]

Consider your passions and your strengths; begin a plan from this place. Some of the best plans don't require any money, just the drive to change one's circumstances. Your autism is your gift. Look around and you will find the answers. Perhaps you are destined to do something else instead of return to school. Good luck. Godspeed.

 

[Ami529]

Do they know your car does not run? A non-running car does not have a lot of value.

It runs. It just needs to be jumpstarted everytime because the battery is bad. However, it also has an engine problem that causes it to stall at lights and intersections and just about anytime I stop. I can keep it going a lot by pressing down on the gas while holding the break, but it will eventually stall. I need someone to follow me with jumper cables just to move it. If I had a new battery, I'd at least be able to restart it and get around again.

 

[Ami529]

Yeah I know the car needs a tune-up but first it needs a battery. Nobody where I live is going to give me $200 for anything unless I'm selling crystal meth or prostituting myself... And it still wouldn't get me requalified for financial aid so I can go back to school.

 

[Ami529]

I'm not going to do drugs or prostitute myself. I'm just saying that there's not a lot of work like that here. I've made a little money to wash my clothes at the laundromat and get a night at the motel so I could take a real shower every now and then.

But that doesn't requalify for me financial aid. It is going to take thousands of dollars to get me back in school this semester. Being homeless isn't the thing that's been the most devastating for me. I just want to get back into my classes more than anything. I want my life and my future back.

 

[Ami529]

My dream is to be part of the education system and perhaps work with education for people in the autistic spectrum if given the opportunity. I'm working on my bachelor's degree in math. I cannot achieve this goal without a diploma from an accredited school.

 

[Loomis]

Some States are much more generous than others in providing assistance to homeless persons. It is hard to believe owning a car would make you ineligible for aid. I am not disputing your story just questioning the sanity of the government where you are living. I am guessing you are somewhere in the deep south where it is anathema to to give monetary assistance to anyone.

You might consider moving to a State with more progressive ideas.

 

[KassieMac]

It runs. It just needs to be jumpstarted everytime because the battery is bad. However, it also has an engine problem that causes it to stall at lights and intersections and just about anytime I stop. I can keep it going a lot by pressing down on the gas while holding the break, but it will eventually stall. I need someone to follow me with jumper cables just to move it. If I had a new battery, I'd at least be able to restart it and get around again.

Ok, so technically it runs, but only just barely. How much could they possibly think it's worth, considering that it requires the assistance of an entire additional car in order to start? And just curious, which state are you in?

 

[Ami529]

Ok, so technically it runs, but only just barely. How much could they possibly think it's worth, considering that it requires the assistance of an entire additional car in order to start? And just curious, which state are you in?

If I get a battery in it, I can actually use it. It's really a better housing alternative than a shelter. At the shelters, you can only stay overnight. You don't live there. And I personally feel much safer in my car than I did sleeping there, but there were opportunities for food many mornings and evenings at the shelters and it was also just a lot warmer. I usually stayed Tuesdays and Wednesdays so I could be close to my classes the next day. It's a 96 Jetta so it is worth more to me as a house than the few hundred dollars I could get for it.

Also, I'm in Tennessee. I can't even begin to tell you how bad our state is with public assistance. This is our healthcare system being mocked on the Jon Stewart Show. Care Bearers - The Daily Show - Video Clip | Comedy Central
Basically, it's a lottery system. You can call a number and win an application for assistance. The lottery is only for the application, though. It doesn't mean you'll even get approved.

Our public assistance systems are always looking for reasons to kick people off. I think I only get food stamps because the Federal guidelines for eligibility are much more reasonable.

 

[KassieMac]

If I get a battery in it, I can actually use it. It's really a better housing alternative than a shelter. At the shelters, you can only stay overnight. You don't live there. And I personally feel much safer in my car than I did sleeping there, but there were opportunities for food many mornings and evenings at the shelters and it was also just a lot warmer. I usually stayed Tuesdays and Wednesdays so I could be close to my classes the next day. It's a 96 Jetta so it is worth more to me as a house than the few hundred dollars I could get for it.

Also, I'm in Tennessee. I can't even begin to tell you how bad our state is with public assistance. This is our healthcare system being mocked on the Jon Stewart Show. Care Bearers - The Daily Show - Video Clip | Comedy Central
Basically, it's a lottery system. You can call a number and win an application for assistance. The lottery is only for the application, though. It doesn't mean you'll even get approved.

Our public assistance systems are always looking for reasons to kick people off. I think I only get food stamps because the Federal guidelines for eligibility are much more reasonable.

I completely agree about the car v shelter issue, and I'm not recommending you sell it. My sister used to live in Tennessee, she's told me some stories that seemed outrageous (like the RoadKill Law), but a lottery system for public assistance? They should be ashamed!! It's intended to be need-based … that's just disgusting. I'll watch the video soon … I shared your link on Facebook too, I hope it helps. All I can say is be glad you're not in Arizona right now … at least there's more shade in TN and it's not quite so hot. First thing I noticed when I moved here, the rich and the homeless always go north for the summer. Ironic.

 

[Loomis]

All I can say is be glad you're not in Arizona right now … at least there's more shade in TN and it's not quite so hot. First thing I noticed when I moved here, the rich and the homeless always go north for the summer. Ironic.

I recommend Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota. There are many programs to help the poor. It also has an excellent University.

As far as summer weather goes we have not yet hit 90 degrees. Here is the four day forecast: Mon 82/62, Tue 76/59, Wed 76/59, Thu 79/67.

It does get a bit cold in winter.

 

[Ami529]

I appreciate all of the ideas to "go somewhere else" but I'm kind of committed here. If I don't want to lose credits in a transfer, I need to stick to schools under the Tennessee Board of Regents. I would cost me thousands of dollars in credits I've earned and that's money I still have to pay back. To throw it away is just irresponsible. I have to get back in school here and finish.

 

[Vanilla]

Welcome

I'm sorry to hear about your situation; it sounds rough.

 

[Ami529]

Well, living in my car isn't the worst part. It was losing my financial aid and all I want to do is get it back. Here's a video I made of my whole living situation last night. Except for a lack of a refrigerator or a bathroom, it isn't all that terrible.