Here's the latest update from the desert:
I have been in Phoenix since November, I am still homeless, and still looking for work.
I have been on three interviews since I arrived in Phoenix in late November, but I have not been hired yet. At this point, I am still waiting for the right job to come along. I submit, on average, about 6 or 7 resumes per week. More and more of the jobs I am seeing since the beginning of February have been graphic design/production related. Two of the interviews I went on seemed very upbeat and positive. I later followed up with both companies; one replied that the position was filled and I have yet to hear from the other.
My maximum time limit for the CASS shelter where I am currently staying ends in late May; that would be 180 days, after which I must sit out one whole year before being eligible to be readmitted (I would have access to the Men's Outreach facility which is a lot less nice and more basic).
In the meantime, I have applied for a rental assistance grant from the City of Phoenix and I am waiting to hear about the status of that. Several people I have talked to have gotten assistance through this program, and if I receive this assistance, I could quite possibly move back into my old apartment building on 7th Avenue and Osborn.
Here's some good news:
I was able to land a freelance design project from a local entrepreneur who is launching a new business. Until the business launches there is little I can share about it, but it is a paying project for a logo and related materials. I am working with the client on payment of the inital fee, and he's helping me out by buying me lunch here and there, and a little direct cash here and there, from which I deduct the final monies he will remit. He should be able to pay me the remainder in the next few days. He's doing this out of his own pocket so I'm being as flexible as possible. Under my business model, there is also a two-year royalty period where I receive a percentage of the new firm's gross annual revenues.
Here's what I need, and wishing for:
1. Gift cards.
If you or someone you know has unused gift cards lying around, please consider sending them in the mail to me. I can provide receipts via e-mail once I get them.
The cards I can use the most deal with any kind of fast food, preferably from the big national names such as McD's, BK, Wendy's and the like.
Also, any gift cards from discount clothing retailers such as Ross or TJ Maxx would help.
Also, gift cards from big box retailers such as Walmart or Target. Other kinds of retail such as Walgreens or Family Dollar will also help. Even online gift certificates from Amazon would help out if you are so inclined. This will help with basic items such as toiletries (deodorant, soap, razors) and underwear (my undershirts are getting ragged and tattery!)
2. I'm still accepting direct donations from the GoFundMe link which you can find in some of my earlier posts, and I have accounts with both PayPal and Western Union...which leads me to...
3. I would like to open a checking account at a local credit union, and it will take $25 to do so. I may be able to to do this when my client pays me within the next couple of weeks, but donations will speed up this process.
4. Down the road, I want to get my driver's license changed over from Texas to Arizona, which will cost $20. I may wait for this until I move to some apartment.
I will keep you posted. For now here's the mailing address to send those gift cards and other correspondence:
Michael Sheldon Reed
232 S 12TH AVE
PHOENIX AZ 85007-3101
