Hi, I’m Adriane. I met Erendida about five years ago as a client, and over time we’ve built a meaningful friendship through Tucson’s queer community. I’m organizing this fundraiser because I’ve seen how much care Erendida offers others (myself included), and I want to help make sure they get that care in return.
A proud child of immigrants and a single parent, Erendida has spent their life doing what so many of us are taught to do: tough it out, handle it yourself, don’t ask for help. They’ve long prioritized their son, their clients, and their community—often at the expense of their own well-being. But over the past few years, something beautiful has shifted. They’ve begun to embrace healing, engage in therapy, set boundaries, and care for their own body with a new kind of compassion. And now, for one of the first times in their life, they’re saying yes to receiving help.
As a gifted and beloved hair artist, Erendida has helped so many of us feel seen, celebrated, and at home in our bodies. They’ve done that while also navigating chronic pain, fatigue, and hardship with quiet strength and fierce dedication to their own healing. Lately, though, dental pain has made it nearly impossible for them to keep going. They’ve done everything they can to pay for treatment on their own, but the costs are mounting, and the pain is getting worse.
Because Erendida is a DACA recipient, they can’t safely cross the border to access more affordable care in Mexico, as they had originally planned. They don’t qualify for public insurance, and private insurance remains out of reach.
We’re hoping to raise $3,000 to help cover:
- Immediate dental procedures and recovery
- Lost income from time away from work
- Relief from mounting expenses so they can focus on healing
This is a vulnerable moment for Erendida, but it is also a powerful one. Saying yes to help is a radical act of self-love, and it deserves to be met with community care.
Out of respect for their safety and DACA status, we are not sharing this publicly or on social media. Instead, we’re asking you to please forward this directly to five people who believe in mutual aid and caring for our own.
Thank you for being part of the kind of community where no one is left behind.
