02/08/2024
Hey friends, Lindsay here with an urgent call for community support for and her mom who are fearful of losing the house they purchased together just two years ago.
Many folks in local grassroots groups know how hard Nyisha and Vanessa work in their communities for social justice (, , - to name a few) while also struggling to survive countless oppressive systems themselves.
Vanessa was recently unjustly let go from her job, highlighting ever-present and systemic issues of ageism, ableism, and misogynoir that disproportionately affect Black women and femmes, particularly those who are older and disabled. Unable to meet their mortgage payment on Nyisha’s income alone, they are quickly depleting what little savings they have in order to keep up and are fearful of falling behind which could lead to foreclosure. As they navigate the barriers of securing services (unemployment, CalFresh) and seek out new income sources, they need our support to carry them through this transition.
While Nyisha and Vanessa have been powerful voices in our local activist circles for years, it’s vital to recognize that their worthiness of community support isn’t contingent on their labor. (Everyone deserves to have what they need to survive and thrive- and REST!) Rather, their efforts model to us what community care looks like, particularly when oppressive systems work exactly as designed to deny safety and security to Black folks, seniors, disabled people, members of the LGBTQ community, women, and femmes.
With Nyisha and Vanessa’s permission, I’m sharing this campaign (link in bio) so folks can rally together to help create a safety net of financial stability for the next several months.
[Image description: Photostrip of Nyisha, Vanessa (and kitty) celebrating home purchase. Text: “Urgent Community Support Request. Help Nyisha & Vanessa save their home. Longtime community activists have dedicated their lives and work to the community - now it’s time to show up for them!
GoFundMe: tinyurl.com/nyisha-vanessa-support
Venmo: -GW
Thank you!”]