#VAN LIFE

[is-this-yuri]

My plan to escape homelessness. I need your help to get started before winter!

hello friends! i'm a homeless queer guy living in a tiny car. it's been like this for most of my adult life, and i'm trying to make a change! I want to convert a van into my new home! my plan involves these stages:

Stage 1: acquire a van.

while still living off donations in my car, i'm fundraising. as soon as i can afford one, i'll purchase a van. the market shows most used vans that would be suitable are around $3.5-4.5k give or take. we're already about halfway there!

I'm really hoping this stage can be complete before november, as my car is not suited to survive another winter and it could be devastating to attempt it.

Stage 2: survive winter

since winter is approaching, i'll need to quickly put insulated walls in the van and make sure i can live in it. at this point, it'll already be an upgrade to my car, but i won't be able to do much building in cold weather, so it'll just be the bare minimum i need to survive the winter.

during this time, i'll be taking measurements, drawing plans, researching appliances, and generally preparing for the build process. i'll continue fundraising to make sure i can afford all the materials and tools i'll need. i may also take care of any maintenence the van might need. i'll also clean and sell my car so i have some cash from that as well.

Stage 3: build my home!

when it gets warm enough, i'll start doing the actual build. i'll document this on video as much as i can, and post the process on my youtube channel for not only the people who helped me, but for anyone who's curious. i'll start with solar panels and an electricity system, i'll add countertops and kitchen appliances, a shower and sink with plumbing and warm water, a toilet, a real bed, lights, climate control. it'll be essentially a house on wheels, and just the right size for me!

Stage 4: whatever comes next

once i have my new home, i'll need an income. i may take a regular job to support myself at first, and that will actually be possible when i have a shower. but, i've been considering making content pretty much my whole life, and now i think i have a great chance to actually pursue that. i'll use some of the money from selling my car in stage 2 to get some basic equipment (laptop, mic, camera). i'll be posting my van build at first, and after that i'll probably start by telling stories about my time being homeless, but i'm also interested in streaming and video essays. thanks to all the generous support i've been getting from my followers and other people on the internet, i feel my opportunities are wide open!

Please consider donating to my fundraiser to help me change my life!

GFM

2115/10k

[zarabellasdreams]

[backroad-life]

Credit: Backroad-life

[atomic-chronoscaph]

Truckin' trading cards - Donruss (1975)

[gavas-mango]

[ink-ling]

[cheaprv]

Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah. Photo by Calvin Ma.

[fliegenengel]

I stretch myself like the sea, so that tomorrow can't deny a dance with me

[ablogofcourage]

[mayanhandballcourt]

Photographer Amelia Le Brun

[voiceofnature]

Bus Rebuilt Into Fairytale Bohemian Home By Man In His 70s

[carsthatnevermadeitetc]

Mazda Bongo 4WD, 1984. The third generation of Mazda's long-running cab-over van was the first made available with 4 wheel drive. It was powered by Mazda's 1.8 litre F-series engine which has recently been introduced. The name Bongo refers to a type of African antelope.

[jabbawocky4eva]

[gavas-mango]

I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” – Susan Sontag

[downfalldestiny]

Slowly 🐞 !.

[cheaprv]

Joshua Tree National Park, California. Photo by Tri Cao.