Raju had the job offer. He just couldn’t afford to start.

After 8 weeks of applications, a local restaurant finally called. They wanted him to begin Monday. But Raju lived in a halfway house with $12 to his name. The bus fare to work would cost $6 round trip. He’d need lunch. He wouldn’t see his first paycheck for two weeks.

He had to turn it down, and this happens more often than you’d think.

Options are limited for those rebuilding.

For residents in halfway houses, the decision to rebuild their lives is already made. They want to work. They show up to job readiness programs. They send out applications. They prepare for interviews.

But when opportunity arrives, a cruel gap appears: no money for the bus. No money for meals. No money to survive the 2-4 weeks between starting work and getting paid.

Some skip interviews because they can’t afford the $6 commute. Others arrive distracted, calculating whether they can eat tomorrow. Even those who land jobs sometimes can’t keep them because making it to Day 14 requires money they don’t have.

Government support schemes take 4-6 weeks to process. Family networks are often broken. 

And behind these realities are stories like these:

“When I first secured a job, I remember feeling more anxious than happy… I did not have enough money for daily transport, meals, or proper clothing suitable for work. I wanted to make a good impression but did not have  enough money. When the financial assistance came, it honestly felt like a lifeline… I was able to pay for my transport, have decent meals, and even get appropriate clothes. It may seem like small things, but to me, it meant everything. It gave me dignity, stability, and peace of mind.” – Raja

What We’re Doing

We’re launching a one-time fund of $300 per resident to help them between job hunting and financial stability, with a goal of raising $3,000* for 10 residents.

This fund covers transport to interviews and first weeks of work, meals during the transition period, and basic essentials while waiting for their first salary.

Why Your Support Matters

“When I received the funds, my first thought was not myself but my family… For the first time in a long while, I didn’t feel like I was just receiving help—I could give something back. Receiving financial assistance became my lifeline… It gave me some stability when everything else felt unstable. More than anything, it gave me hope.” – Elango

“When I came out, I had nothing… no job, no savings, and no one to turn to.” – Kumar

The Difference You Make

This is the gap where futures are decided. No one should lose a job they earned because of circumstances beyond their control.

As one counsellor shared:

“This support comes at just the right moment… For one resident, it means starting work with dignity. For another, restoring pride by giving back to family. For someone with no one to rely on, it provides stability during uncertainty.

It does more than meet practical needs. It reminds them they are not alone.” 

Help us bridge the gap between determination and opportunity. Give Hope Today. 

*The campaign goal includes a 1.8% payment processing fee.