michaeldeanconley@gmail.com    PO Box 1576 West Chester, Ohio 45071    Does not always have a working phone (937) 986-9292

Please continue reading below for a full update on Michael. He needs all of your help and participation :). The reality of attempting to place Michael, who became homeless May of 2022, into a healthy, fully supported, financially rebuilt life that recovers his savings, emergency fund, covers medical expenses, provides food/shelter/clothing beyond one day, and a proper vehicle is between $70-90k. It takes a community to lift up the fallen. 

In Summation

The funds were intended to focus on covering housing and food expenses for a year, reliable transportation, rebuilding savings and establishing an emergency fund, medical expenses, attorney and court fees, continued education, and tithing. All this was intended to help rehabilitate Michael properly and not set him up to experience any disadvantage in his rehabilitation. 

10% Tithe

The campaign did succeed in its 10% tithe. Michael allowed God to work through him and feed approximately 200 people, provide cold-weather wool accessories to approximately 180+ individuals, and Michael has actively engaged with those who have treated, thought, or spoken of him poorly to make peace and will their good with tithe funds. Your efforts and donations have been part of those tithe efforts to foster love and philanthropy work to others. 

Used Vehicle

Without a home, Michael could not lease a vehicle through a dealership nor take a bank loan, even while working multiple jobs; to do so requires proof of permanent residence. This required Michael to pay for all things in cash only. Having thoroughly searched used vehicles in the area with the help of his Christian brother Jeffrey Kremer who holds a masters in Theology, and works in St. Mary's church in Springboro Ohio, both were able to find a used 2015 Volkswagen for $13k, which regretfully required $2k in diagnostics, labor, and repairs. With $15k spent on the vehicle it was discovered there was a major mechanical failure with the vehicle that manifested three months after the purchase in October 2023, requiring $10k in repairs. Michael was informed the vehicle may last 5 more months if he cared for it well. The car has been steadily falling apart becoming more problematic to drive, yet The Lord God Jesus Christ has been good to keep the vehicle at least operating, knowing how necessary it is for Michael. He needs a proper vehicle though.

Court & Attorney Fees

As you all may recall, Michael had the police called on him by an older woman who did not like the way he looked, while he was legally and lawfully parked in a public space. Having articulated the Ohio Revised Code of Law to three officers who responded, Michael calmly and professionally informed the officer(s) of his given rights as a law-abiding civilian, and proceeded to inquire if the officers could provide the reasonable articulable suspicion for the crime he had committed, was about to commit, or was in the process of committing. Michael had asked to speak with the officer's supervisor, which was denied to him, and they arrested him for failure to provide personal information. He was not read his rights, and was not allow a phone call for the three nights and three days in jail. He was discharged from jail with his vehicle impounded, and spent that night walking approximately five hours through two towns, and spent that evening wrapped in a tarp shivering in the winter cold with a few candles lit behind a wood shed. He was helped the next morning by local businessman Dr. Siebenaller to retrieve his vehicle. The time in jail lost Michael some of the jobs he was working, only exacerbating his trouble. Michael took to fighting for justice which cost $11K for two attorneys and court fees. Having lost the case, with the arresting officer having stated to the court that Michael was not required to provide any identification in an investigation, it did not make sense why the case was lost. Michael then hired an appellate attorney to fight for this case in hopes of receiving justice. 

Concluding Notes

Michael has reached out to churches for help and to see if his narrative could be used to educate people and call Christian's to action, only to be met with disinterest. Michael has experienced a degree of prejudice and judgement from Christians, where he has looked to peacefully treat with pastors and church leaders, only to be told by pastors they think him weird, they think him a wolf in sheep's clothing. He has been told the police will be called should he look to engage with the congregation, and he has been escorted out of churches by pastors, had the police called on him and trespassed from church by pastor(s), and shunned by members of the congregation- his own spiritual family, for attempting to be a peace-maker. It has been eye-opening, humiliating, embarrassing, and incredibly hurtful for Michael. Michael still confesses with his mouth, heart, and mind to the best of his broken ability, that Lord Jesus Christs is the one and only God. Please reach out to him and participate in his life narrative, help create new campaigns to fund and lift him up.This is not the thing that should happen to a college graduate, military veteran, mentally competent, drug-free, compassionate man. God chastens those He loves... and there is much in the way we can all do to love and serve one another and love and serve God. Please connect with Michael.

michaeldeanconley@gmail.com PO Box 1576 West Chester, Ohio 45071 Does not always have a working phone (937) 986-9292

Hello everyone! (Lydia writing this) It's been about a year since I've posted an update but I wanted to post something
here because many of you have asked me about Michael and how he is doing. His journey in the past year has been
very hard and there have been many disappointments, times when things seemed hopeful only to have circumstances
crush that hope. He has worked tirelessly seeking out resources and help, approaching churches, coming up with ideas
for work and applying to dozens and dozens of jobs, to no lasting avail. But God has been faithful throughout to protect
and preserve Michael.

Praises:
- the car purchased with campaign funds is still running, despite multiple mechanical issues predicted to junk it
- Michael has been able to keep working, though work is scarce, pays poorly, and is physically wearing him down
- Michael has been able to meet with several health providers to assess physical and mental health
- Michael continues to seek the Lord, despite severe trials

Prayer requests:
- the car goes through a bottle of oil a week to maintain it, it could fail any time. Please pray it miraculously
continues working and/or God provides a more stable alternative
- Michael is appealing the judgement handed down in April, the hearing is Dec 9, please pray God provides relief
- pray for work that pays well enough and is stable enough to provide income for housing
- jobs available do not provide Sunday morning off, pray God provides opportunity to regularly attend church
- pray for encouragement and wisdom for Michael as he lives this trial day by day

Thank you all for your prayers. Michael would love to hear from you if you wanted to reach out. You can contact him
at michaeldeanconley@gmail.com or by mail PO Box 1576, West Chester, OH 45071. He still needs help, he still needs prayer, and he is looking for people to come together to lift him out of this in ways that one person alone cannot do... any word of encouragement or helping hand would go a long way. Thank you all.

Michael was very encouraged to receive some Christmas cards and letters from you all in December, thank you SO much everyone who reached out to him, it brings such hope. Here is his message to you all, both a thanks and an exhortation to go out of your comfort zone to show love to others.

For anyone who would like to send an encouraging word to or just chat with Michael, he can be reached at:

michaeldeanconley@gmail.com

(937) - 986 - 9292

Michael Conley

PO Box 1576

West Chester, OH 45069

"I understand Genny [someone who wrote to him about their own brief homelessness experience and how she tries to treat homeless people now]. I have been in her position, felt as they felt l, saw as they saw. Homelessness can happen to anyone. In truth the church needs to adopt and accept people into the homes of the congregation to rehabilitate and act as foster friends and family. We are called to love the unlovely. If anyone is in a position of comfort and stability to ask, “what can be done, what can I do?”, then you are the solution. It can take approximately 25k to pick up a fallen person, build them up, provide housing, food, shelter, and schooling to become self sufficient. Interesting that those like this person who wrote to me, were so good as to be transparent about feeling uncomfortable, and yet a life of discomfort is what the homeless know… granted I’m an odd case- college degrees, no drugs, hard working… and still losing ground. If I can shine light and clarity in this just as those whom have written have shared their feelings, then we can set our comfort aside and start doing the Bible dirty work we so readily shirk. We must do better as a race for others. I love you all,

Sincerely,

Michael”

The Holidays

Michael works hard to stay in as good as spirit as he can. We chat a few times a week via text and there are times he is cheerful and other times he is very sad. We had him over for Thanksgiving and loved getting to welcome him into the family circle and provide him warmth and lots of food for a brief time. He chose not to come visit us over Christmas, instead he spent the time buying scarves in thrift stores and distributing them to other homeless people around the places he frequents. He knows all too well that warm enough clothing is the difference between life and death for many of these people.

Now, as I hear him telling me these things he does, I know my personal reaction is something like “Why are you diverting your efforts? You should focus on yourself and helping yourself get out of this hard situation first before you worry about other people.” But that truly isn’t how Michael thinks, and honestly I have been continually challenged and encouraged by his attitude that it doesn’t matter what situation he is in, it is duty and calling to help those less fortunate or anyone who needs help. It reminds me of the Biblical story of the widow who Jesus saw give her last mite to the offering box, and told his disciples that she had given more than all the Pharisees, because while they gave out of their wealth, she gave out of her poverty.

That is what Michael does, again and again and again. And while it may seem counterintuitive, I think we can learn something from it as well as we contemplate how we are called to serve, and what is ultimately important in this fleeting life.

Right now we are still hoping to continue this fundraising campaign until we reach the 30,000 goal, at which point it will be finished. The funds between where we are and 30,000 are planned to go toward an apartment, if we can ever find him one in his price range (“affordable” housing has extremely long wait times, mind-numbing bureaucracy, and he often doesn’t qualify with no family and no diagnosed mental health/disabilities, etc, but we continue to look into it).

Thank you, as ever, for your prayers, well wishes, and the contributions, even if it was two mites like the widow gave. Please, if you’re able, tell your friend and share this fundraiser on social media. Michael has a lot to teach everybody, and it helps him a lot, knowing people care and are trying to help share and raise awareness, even when resources are short and no contributions are possible.

Below in Michael’s own words is an accounting of his scarf donation drive to give you a window into his world:

“Approximately 180 wool/wool blend, and thick knitted scarves collected, washed, and organized. Ready for donation to those in the homeless community and shelters. Those who have supported me with a vehicle are now making it possible for some to keep a little warmer and help not breathe in the cold winter air. Breathing winter air really sucks when you are cold and your ears and nose feel like they are going to fall off from pain. These scarves, though a trifle token to the homeless, a very poor gift if I say so, and I do, are just a means to take a little of winters pain away. 

All 180 scarves have been donated among two areas; the St. Vincent De Paul family unit of women, men, and children, then I along with two other men went out today (Christmas weekend) to pass out scarves to the homeless under bridges, in the woods, and out on the streets. 

This was made possible by part of the tithe taken from the 30k goal not achieved yet, but I’m pulling from the 3k tithe pool in hopes we will still reach that goal. All the supporters and followers of the campaign made it possible to get these scarves to people and organizations who certainly needed and appreciated them. The vehicle made it possible, but the supporters are the ones who truly gave. Going out to the streets, woods, and bridges, lugging these sacks around- was certainly some work and they went very fast. We were out from 1p to 3p hitting Cincinnati. So I made sure the last large bag went to the Dayton area.

Please make a home for the unhomed. Invite them to be part of your home or family and rehabilitate them. We are called to love the unlovely and what has happened to me can and does happen to many others.”

Please share and tell others about Michael.

For anyone who would like to send an encouraging word to or just chat with Michael, he can be reached at:

michaeldeanconley@gmail.com

(937) - 986 - 9292

Michael Conley

PO Box 1576

West Chester, OH 45069

Check for the next update coming imminently!

Happy New Year everyone! I wanted to give you all a brief update on Michael, thank you for your generous, amazing support, and ask that you keep sharing this fundraiser if you can. I’m going to put this information in three short update posts because this platform only allows me to attach one picture per post (sorry about that) but I’ll divide it up by topic.

Job/Work/Apartment

He also has ended his full-time seasonal job he had over Christmas and is now looking for another job to add hours to his part time ware-house job for Amazon. This third job terminated him after his no-show because he was in jail for a weekend with no ability to contact anyone.

The very good news is that he has successfully been able to live out of his car these last few months. It is quite uncomfortable and he’s had to go to great lengths to improvise with layered clothing and other means to stay warm enough to stay alive while sleeping fitfully. It’s no way to live, but it's something, and he is very grateful for the car that your generosity provided him. If he didn’t have a car, he might be dead.

Currently his top priority is finding a new, long-term full-time job. He is filling the holes with temp jobs as they become available and his part time ware-house job. I believe this is enough to keep him stable where he is for the moment, but not enough to be saving for an apartment (which we’ve looked for on and off and haven’t found anything even remotely within his price range anyway).

Please pray for:

- A full time job that will not strain his subpar health

- A resolution to the housing problem, most apartments are far too expensive

- Continued safety living out of his car

- Encouragement and strength to continue living in a posture of gratitude and hope despite the hardships

- That the judge would throw out the charges against him

Below in Michael’s own words is some description of how he’s using the car to survive and live his daily life, written for you all with the desire to give you a bit of a picture into his struggles so as to better pray.

"How the gifted car has been outfitted for viewers. Front seat holds wool blanket, backpack, and footwell is the candle heater… keeps the inside around 55 degrees when the outside is between 23-33 degrees. I have three thermometers. One I keep on the outside. One I keep in the top of the interior roof and one in the back seat on the floor. The interior base of the car and interior top can different by 5 to 10 degrees sometimes.

The hatch is where tools, sanitary items, and the laundry bag and water goes.

The entire rear is a closet. I have a shower tension rod spanning between the top held in place by the hand-holds. It allows me to store clothes up to like a closet and clothes on the seat like a chests of drawers, with my duffel bag at the right passenger seat holding my weekly clothes.

The cake candles only really help keep the interior from turning into an ice box, and one window has to be cracked with the Sun roof, or two windows must be cracked for fresh air intake and to help vent. Wicks have to be trimmed often to keep carbon from building up on the windows- which does happen. The aluminum acts as a heat reclaim absorbing some heat and releasing it but also helps dampen the light produced to keep the vehicle from looking like pumpkin lantern. The steel bowl is for washing, bathing, shaving, it helps, and can be heated if need for warm water, which I have not resorted to yet. The propane single burner with grill chimney are set up behind the front passenger and silicone mats are placed around the perimeter for safety. The chimney is filled with stones and transformed into a sauna stove, where rocks absorb the heat for about one hour, and then release heat safely inside through the night. It can really make a difference. 

Starting your car and letting it run creates a lot of emissions and uses your precious fuel. The Volkswagen also is set to where lights will shine no matter what when the car is on, so heating yourself and drawing attention to your location in the dark is not great.

Am I still cold- yes! 

Sleeping sitting reclined causes the legs to swell from gravity always pulling. I try to move around and walk to circulate blood, and try to edge the feet on the dash to elevate feet, but it’s typical to develop edema when feet/legs are kept in these positions consistently. 

Fire extinguisher at the ready should something in the vehicle combust, trash bags for emergency defecation when you don’t have the luxury of finding a place- usually at night, and these are discretely disposed of in the morning. The large plastic cup is when you have to expel fluids and don’t want to get smacked with an indecent exposure charge- very useful.

The image of the clothing shows the minimum amount I need to wear to get through temperatures between 30-45 degrees. One cotton base layer, and five 100% wool outer layers for the torso including hat, and a 100% wool doubled over blanket for the legs.

I never sleep restoratively. This is a game of survival not comfort and luxury. 

Still hoping we can all push to the 30K goal :) 

Enjoy seeing how you are all helping me climb out of the trenches… one hand-hold at a time."

Please share and tell others about Michael.

For anyone who would like to send an encouraging word to or just chat with Michael, he can be reached at:

michaeldeanconley@gmail.com

(937) - 986 - 9292

Michael Conley

PO Box 1576

West Chester, OH 45069

Check for the next update coming imminently!

Happy New Year everyone! I wanted to give you all a brief update on Michael, thank you for your generous, amazing support, and ask that you keep sharing this fundraiser if you can. I’m going to put this information in three short update posts because this platform only allows me to attach one picture per post (sorry about that) but I’ll divide it up by topic.

General update/Legal proceedings

Michael is surviving. If you read the last few updates you’ll know that he had a run-in with police (He was not at fault, see previous update for details), resulting in him spending a weekend in jail and having a lawsuit to deal with. He has shared that he believes he was not treated as his civil rights should have afforded him in the process and maintains his innocence and the mishandling of the situation by the cops.

He was able to get a good lawyer and right now they are waiting for the court date in April/May when the judge will consider whether or not to throw out the charges against him (as in, they might decide they were spurious and throw them out, or they might send them on to trial). After the trail on the charges brought against him is settled, he is planning to bring a civil suit to address the way he was grossly mistreated in the system.

He is cautiously optimistic, his lawyer believes he has a solid case, but the court systems as you all know are extremely slow, and the next court date is months in the future.

Which leaves him having depleted his small savings meant to get him into an apartment paying legal fees instead. This is obviously discouraging, compounded by how hard everything else is that he’s having to deal with it is easy for setbacks like this to derail even the best laid plans.

But he continues to trust in God’s provision and grace, and it has given him an opportunity to listen to the difficulties and mistreatment of other inmates while he was in the jail over the weekend and he has some ideas of ways he hopes to lean on the system to make positive change.

Picture: The line on the map shows where Michael was forced to walk, in a darkening and freezing evening, from the jail where they released him in the evening with no phone (it was in his car, which had been impounded and impound lot was closed for the day), they refused to call anybody on his behalf to come help him or pick him up, they simply put him out on the cold street and told him his troubles were no longer their problem. He had to walk for hours to find help. For context, most things like libraries were closed, he had no phone to look up any info, and did not know people’s numbers by heart. Nobody at the jail would look up any numbers for him, provide him a phone book, or a phone. He was in a smaller, rural area, so almost no public services/transport available, no public phones, etc. A very unfortunate and difficult situation to be put in.

Please share and tell others about Michael.

For anyone who would like to send an encouraging word to or just chat with Michael, he can be reached at:

michaeldeanconley@gmail.com

(937) - 986 - 9292

Michael Conley

PO Box 1576

West Chester, OH 45069

Check for the next update coming imminently!

Michael could really, really use your prayers right now.

Last week he was parked on a public street in front of someone's house taking care of some paperwork and making phone calls while sitting in his car. The owner of the house (an older lady) apparently decided they didn't like him being parked there and called the police on him. The police were hostile and suspicious (apparently the old woman told the police Michael had rolled down his window and said "hey baby, get in my car" or something along those lines, no idea if it was a deliberate lie or if the old lady was just confused). Michael calmly kept trying to ask them to tell him what law he was breaking, what was going on, and he declined to give them his personal information, which it seems made them fed up with him, because they called in backup and arrested him for "failing to provide his personal information."

He spent three days in jail and unable to make the call he was legally owed because he didn't have any numbers memorized and no one at the jail would allow him to look up any numbers and they refused to look anything up for him. After the three days when he was released and allowed one week to find a lawyer and return, they put him out on the street, in the evening, with bitter cold coming on, with no cell phone and no vehicle (car was impounded).

He walked miles to the business of someone he knew and spent the night shivering in a shed nearby, barely avoiding hypothermia. Thankfully the owner of the business was kind enough the next morning to give him a ride to pick up his impounded car and since then he has been calling nonstop, trying to find a pro bono lawyer to represent him.

I am doing what I can to follow possible leads and ask around for any advice or anyone who might know legal resources for him. He has already contacted many lawyers in the Cincinnati area as well as the Cincinnati Legal Aid Clinic. The lawyers he has spoken to say he has grounds for a civil lawsuit because his civil rights were violated, but he can't bring that to bear until the current charges have gone to trial, and unsurprisingly, even an average priced lawyer is far outside his budget. He will likely have to use the small amount he has saved up to get an apartment on legal fees.

(in case anyone is wondering, he makes just barely too much to qualify for a court appointed attorney. Though even if he was appointed one, they generally do the bare minimum and are known for doing everything they can to uphold the court's dignity so in a case where civil rights were violated, it is unlikely a court appointed attorney would help him bring light to any police mishandling of the situation)

As of today, he has been given a two week extension to find a lawyer.

If you have any resources, ideas, or leads on a pro bono or affordable lawyer, please contact Michael at michaeldeanconley@gmail.com or (937) 986-9292.

Please pray:

- That God gives him wisdom on what to do and how to handle this situation
- That he would find a pro bono lawyer or someone willing to give him a discount
- That God would encourage him mightily during this extremely trying time
- That he would be able to keep his jobs and be able to find a better one (one of his three jobs terminated him for three days of no-shows while he was in jail, the other two are letting him stay, for now)

This is hard. Really, really hard. It is difficult for him, and difficult for those who care for him to see these injustices happen. But all we can do in a broken world is throw our cares upon Jesus, trust in him, and not give into despair.

We plan on having Michael at our place for Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you feel moved to send him some encouragement and would like to do more than email, you can send a Christmas card or letter of encouragement to me at 9212 US HWY 42 #D-229, Prospect, KY 40059 and I will make sure it gets to Michael.

Michael has a car! Thank you SO MUCH everyone who has gotten him this far. The additional funds have helped pay for good collision insurance, taxes, and upkeep like new tires and such. This is such a huge step for Michael, it has given him back his autonomy and a means by which to care for himself. Even though life is still very difficult and there's a long road ahead of him, having his own means of transportation and a place to shelter (even if it is not at all ideal) has made a big difference.

Please continue praying for Michael, that we would be able to find some sort of housing situation and that he can find a better, single job that pays a decent wage so that he can stop working 60-80 hours a week. He has applied to so many but thus far has only been able to get minimum wage jobs that involve being on his feet all day long—something a healthy young person wouldn't have much of a problem with, but homelessness, lack of nutrition, and 4+ years of 60+ hours a week have taken a heavy toll on his body.

Thank you.

Thank you all so much for praying!

A lot has happened in the last few weeks. The biggest and most encouraging development is that my brother-in-law, who lives in Cincinnati, has been able to connect with Michael and provide him rides to church the last few weeks. They've been able to hang out some, Michael is slowly meeting people in the church, and Michael has also been able to re-connect with a few people from his past who are reaching out to help him.

It makes me sad to think that all of this could have been happening a year and a half ago. It makes me sad to think that it took a somewhat "public" figure (me) saying something to a wider audience to spur his community to help him. But I also know that all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Michael has told me that he is not "enjoying" his journey, but it has certainly been an intense refining fire. That is the great mystery of trials and pain in life. We cry out for justice and relief, but even as we suffer God is at work to use the tragedies of a fallen world for our good.

Michael is continuing to be rejected by certain members of his former Christian (Catholic) community, and that is really hurting him (some have gone so far as to say that he is homeless by choice and it's his fault he hasn't chosen to fix it yet). But he knows that you can't rebuild bridges in a day, and that just because a person calls themselves a Christian does not mean they perfectly follow Christ's example of love.

Michael has been working with a friend this week and will do so more next week looking for an appropriate car in Cincinnati where he lives. We've narrowed down a few style choices based on his needs (something like a Honda Fit or Honda CR-V, something small with good gas milage but also hatchback with good cargo space). We are limited because our budget is $15,000, which is not very much for an in-good-condition Honda that isn't so old he'll have to fix it constantly. However we are praying and trusting the Lord will provide something suitable in His good time.

Thank you SO SO MUCH to my wonderful community of friends, readers, and beautiful strangers who have come together to raise Michael up out of despair. He is much encouraged, and he would LOVE to hear kind words from you. You can email him at michaeldeanconley@gmail.com or text him at (937) 986-9292. Also, if you are in the Cincinnati area and have any knowledge of a Landlord that would accept a very hardworking but former homeless man as a tenant (he will have character references, just no residency history), please let Michael know. If you have any connects in the car selling world and might be able to hook him up with something at a discount, please also reach out to him.

For now, if you can keep sharing and getting more people aware, a few more thousand dollars will really help him get a car asap, and then he can start looking for and saving for an apartment.

Please pray for:

- Continued encouragement for Michael.
- Christian brothers and sisters to come around him and make him feel God's love.
- Another second job. He lost one of his two full-time jobs because he needed to transfer and his manager didn't want him to, so they let him go. He's working with temp agencies to find more work.
- A suitable car before it gets too cold at night. He is still camping out in the woods.

I don't have any new pictures at the moment, but I will try to have Michael take some and will post them when I can. For now expect another update in a week or two when we hope (Lord willing) we will have better leads on a car.

Thank you, and God bless.

We continue to be amazed and thank God for his great generosity and grace. Thank you everyone so much for donating! 

We are now aggressively looking for a vehicle. If donations keep coming in, we might be able to afford to purchase a car that meets Michael's needs right away instead of waiting and hoping to find someone willing to sell to us for cheap.

The most important criteria are that it has good gas milage and it has an attached (rather than a detached) trunk, so that the back seats can be put back and there is room to sleep. Minivan's and full-size SUVs have terrible fuel economy so those are pretty much out. Most sedan models have a detached trunk, so those won't work. Ideally we're looking for a hatchback vehicle or a small SUV with great gas milage.

Michael is in southern Ohio, and we could potentially drive to pick something up if anyone knows of an affordable, gently used vehicle of that type. Feel free to reach out directly to Michael, his number is (937) 986-9292 and his email is michaeldeanconley@gmail.com. He cannot always access his phone or email, so please be patient when reaching out.

Once Michael has a vehicle and can start saving money instead of wasting it on ubers, we'll do some budgeting, find out what kind of apartment he can afford, and start aggressively looking for a home for Michael. It is likely we'll have to get one from someone who is willing to do things differently, because Michael has no residence history to speak for him. However he has me and a few others to vouch for him, so we're praying we'll find someone willing to take him on faith.

Please keep sharing and keep praying! Michael is very encouraged by the outpouring of love and a friend has been able to take him to church the past two Sundays where he's connected with a few people, so we're hoping things will improve there as well.

Wow. Truly, wow. Thank you all so much, you have brought tears to my eyes and I am passing on your words and prayers to Michael. I did not expect or even hope for such an outpouring of generosity and love. I am humbled by by it all.

Because you all have gone above and beyond and we're nearing our initial 10,000 milestone, I've raised the goal to 15,000. I started with 10,000 because I didn't know what to expect. I never imagined we'd actually meet it ("Oh ye of little faith" as Sir Kipling often says to Lily and Sebastian, I guess now he would be saying it to me!).

For the car situation, some of you have reached out with possible leads, and I'll be following up via email as soon as I can. In general for those wondering, a sedan probably won't work for him, as he needs more space to store belongings and possibly to sleep, so something like an SUV or a minivan would be most useful. If you have or know of someone with one that is no older than about 2015 and doesn't have more than about 60 or maybe 70k miles on it, has been well maintained, no issues, etc that you are willing to sell for cheap, our budget for a car is about $10,000 and the extra $5,000 if we raise it will go toward things like gas, car insurance, title registration, taxes, and the like.

In case someone does have a car, we are in the Ohio Valley region, and are willing to drive to pick up the car if it's not too terribly far. Please email me at redoctober@10thgen.org if you have any leads on a reliable vehicle that meets the budget and above description. Thank you!