FAITH OR FEAR?
Fear and Faith are both invisible. Choosing faith has often served me well and it's what brings me here today.
Hi, I'm Kimberly and I have been the one who has assisted, helped, and served others. My priority was my career in NYC. I specialized in Corporate Executive Management where I dedicated and devoted myself to successfully managing their domains. I worked in partnership with all levels of their organizations to ensure they achieved their goals. My personal reputation is that I'm the friend that others count on especially when they need help. And I relish that role.
Asking for help to help myself has never been my strong suit.
Why is that? I don't know.
However, I have recently learned how necessary it is to allow and accept help from others and be the recipient. Right now, I am in a time-sensitive situation for which my closest friends have rallied around me. I am so appreciative of their concern, guidance, and support. And I am especially grateful to my dearest friend, Nancy Nixon Ensign who is spearheading this fund-raising effort on my behalf.
WHAT AM I FACING? I am about to lose my established home of 5 years and potentially some possessions.
HOW DID I ARRIVE AT THIS JUNCTURE? In 2015, I put my life on hold to assist my mother in Florida. I helped her move and downsize. And I became her sole support for twenty-seven months. Afterward, I moved to Westfield, NY to be close to relatives and recover from that ordeal. In February 2019, my younger sister had a brief illness that resulted in her sudden and unexpected death. Both situations affected me mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and financially. Recovering financially has been the slowest. And I have soldiered on as we all have through Covid-19. We adapt.
HOW HAVE I SUPPORTED MYSELF? When I first arrived in Westfield, I sold a few possessions which helped me pay the rent for a while. At 62, I applied to receive my social security benefits early, which has been a saving grace. Plus, embracing other benefits including medical care, a phone, SNAP, and local food bank resources has helped create a sustainable life. I live a quiet and spiritual life. I write every day and enjoy the rhythm of life in a Village. Like NYC, I walk everywhere and bring my service animal with me. She brings me comfort and joy. Withal, I feel blessed.
WHAT DO I NEED? I am looking to raise $10K. I will use $8K to cover the costs of buying the possessions that are presently in my established home. I had used them as collateral to help cover living expenses prior to receiving my social security benefits. I must move as our building (which has 7 other units) was quietly sold in August. On September 1st, new owners took over and renovations begin on October 1st. The remaining $2K will be used to cover moving expenses, storage, the first month's rent, and a security deposit. I hope to find affordable housing in this area.
WHO IS IN THE PHOTOGRAPH? I am holding Hoshi. This photo was taken in July 2019, immediately following the memorial service of my beloved sister, Keri. She was 56. Ironically, the last time I asked for funds was in 2005; I orchestrated a multi-generational project on behalf of my family to fund a memorial bench that I had designed for the cemetery. At our dedication ceremony, an Emerson quote (that the elders had secretly elected to engrave on the back) was revealed, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
