Emergency Help & Support for Romy's Future

Hello, good morning, and a warm yoo-hoo to you!

I call myself Romy Cozy, but most of you will know me by my legal name, Zac (Nuccio), or, in some circles, Miss Strewniverse herself.

In short, this Beautiful thing called Life has offered me quite the current playing hand: I am currently homeless and jobless in the depths of Winter in Illinois...during a global pandemic...alone. For the past two weeks, I have been staying with friends and motels (currently safe in a motel as I type), as well as traveling with all of my belongings in a U-Haul van.

In addition to these hurdles, I have been stripped of my typical support system and have seemingly one thing left to do: Ask for the help I need and let Goddess take the wheel. I am humbled even writing this out, especially in the midst of this global crisis, and yes, I'll admit: I'm scared. The last two weeks, on top of the last 12 months, and really the last several years has been a path ripe with mental-health struggles, addiction, unpacking trauma, healing, and other wormholes and portals on the way to becoming my Self. 

Today, I am indeed looking for something close to a Miracle. 

I am asking for help, to give me some semblance of stability in these 'unprecedented, uncertain' times. I am currently seeking financial aid to secure immediate and safe housing, cash towards a new safe, used vehicle, phone bill to keep communication lines open, gas, potential emergencies, and health needs including 2 months of online therapy via Betterhelp.

This gives me peace of mind from being cold and unsheltered, it also gives me a launching point to really do something, to have stability while I navigate finding work, a home, and building new relationships and fostering affinity with those I love. 

COST BREAKDOWN:

*URGENT (now through the end of February):
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+ $444 (7 addl nights in my current motel ($331, including a refundable $100 cash deposit)
+ $666 (gas, potential emergencies, bills, food until SNAP comes)

*IMMEDIATE (End of February-End of Summer):
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+ $3600 (up to 6 months of rental assistance @ $600/month, or 1/3 the national average for studios)
+$4000 (cash towards a safe, used vehicle that I can potentially sleep out of. I'm preapproved for financing with Capital One)
+ $1888 (bills, rectify a collections debt, help with credit cards)
+ $480 (6 mos phone bill coverage)
+ $399 (2 months of online therapy from Betterhelp)
+ $300 (necessary dental visits to prevent further oral health issues)

Briefly, here is the cliffnotes of my current dilemma:

Due to an out-of-control, emotionally tolling living environment that flared to boiling point on Sunday Jan 31, I had the pleasure of several members of my blood family call the Police on me to get me to leave my home, and collect my things (that were packed hastily and damaged by family) the next morning. 

The next morning, I was videotaped and sneered at by my mother, father, aunt, and cousin--who also called for me to be arrested as I packed the van--and even assaulted with a found object by my father, all of which was of no interest to the authorities.

I quickly left to Memphis to stay with a dear friend I've known for over a decade. On Feb 4, while in Memphis, I received a call from Pingree Grove officer who informed me my mother has filed an order of protection (NOT a restraining order, which is used in legitimate cases of abuse/violence) against me, which baffled both me and the officer as well (seeing as I fled the state, as I feel unsafe around my abusers). Unfortunately, this has stalled all communication and has left me with even more uncertainty, drama, and stress to deal with.

Since then, and during the last half of January as I knew something wasn't right, I have been simply doing the best I can. Surviving, and trying to make sense of what just happened and what's next, and where, and...how.

-I got approved for food stamps last Friday, and will receive enough money per month to make sure I do not go hungry. A true blessing that I am beyond grateful to accept. I should receive the card in the mail in about 7 days.
-Opened a new checking account and got my banking adulted.
-Got my very own cell phone plan.
-Accepted owner ship of the (unsafe, but functional) vehicle I'm currently driving.

Science has shown that our major life stressors that may lead to problematic mental-health ailments when not managed effectively are: Death of a Loved One, Moving, Loss of Job, Divorce, and Major Illness/Injury. I have 3/5 in play, with elements of the other 2. And despite my best effort to steer the ship in a different direction, I am now in dire need of compassionate financial help.

I can't do this alone right now. 

Today, I can congratulate myself on being 418 days clean of cocaine, am comfortable with my limited alcohol consumption, and am taking my RX medications as prescribed (and am in constant communication with my GP). I can congratulate myself for taking CARE of myself: My skin, my teeth, my body, and my mind. I strive to live in harmony with the four elements so my Spirit can continue to evolve into a more realized and true form. I yearn for harmony in my relationships, and ones that are mutually beneficial--ones that encourage growth, honesty, and respect and shared victory and success. 

As far as the future...My creativity is burning something fierce. I am currently working on community resources like a digital space/website, continuing to establish an ebay storefront for additional income, and yeah, I still have the music projects on the backburner of my mind at all times. I'll admit: It's been difficult for me to explore these gifts of thought while I'm concerned about having shelter, food, and basic human necessities met, andI'm trying to be as flexible as possible as far as "what's next". I'd like to go West or South as soon as responsibly possible to set new roots and continue to explore the world of Permaculture, herbalism, essential oils, queer Spirituality and, of course: Music + Film. I'll gladly find any type of work to bring in money as soon as I secure longer-term living situation and am currently talking out a few options with contacts.

If 2020/life till now has taught me anything, it's that everything will happen as it needs to happen. There's no point in me trying to fight against the natural ebbs and flows of Life any longer. And that tomorrow is a new mother pluckin' day. I am not here to understand the "why" of other peoples actions or the purity of their intentions--all I know is what is happening to me. What is right for me, and what is hurting me. 

I am looking to be a part of the solution for the new world we are about to build. I promise to do so with Truth, Love, and constructive Mischief. To make sure our shared values of compassion continue to be fought for and to help make our dreams of a better world a living reality.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for taking the time to read my words. I am unsure if I have the words to properly describe the gratitude I have for anything you are able to give to me at this time. 

I love you all so, so much--and I promise to keep ya'll updated on my status, safety, and endeavors.  

All-time Love,

Romy Cozy

lovingly: Miss Strewniverse
formerly: Zac Nuccio

❤️

PAYPAL: [email redacted]
ZELLE: [email redacted]
CASH APP: $mxstrewniverse
VENMO: @mxstrewniverse

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2/15/21: There's up to 12 inches of snow falling where I am and the roads are already fu*ked, and I cannot logically bring myself to move locations. I need to pay my motel for the additional nights I've reserved this morning sometime sooner rather than later, ideally by, er... 11AM/12PM CST ($440 total, including a refundable $100 deposit). I have no where to go with all my things at this time. And it is a pandemic. Moving around is not wise or advised. I feel safe, warm, and secure where I am. And my things are safe (most of my plant bbs are thriving and adjusting, too!).

I would like to stay put here for a moment, as the storms this week pass and I finalize what the next part of my journey looks like, and get my belongings organized. I am running dangerously close to empty as I wait for (a small amount of) funds to be released by my bank either today or tomorrow.