Read more about VIP’s impact in our 2025 Annual Report.
Steven* runs a business selling handcrafted knives and camping equipment. Until recently, he worked out of a shared, rented studio space in the city, where he stored his equipment and plied his trade.
Following a car accident, Steven became disabled, and was unable to work as much because the elevator in his studio’s building was frequently out of service. As a result, he fell behind on rent. One day, after trying to work out an understanding with his landlord for several months, Steven arrived to find his studio locked.
Steven applied for help from VIP to salvage his business from this illegal “self-help” eviction. All his tools and crafting supplies were locked inside the studio, and his landlord adamantly refused him entry. “I was losing sleep and having panic attacks,” Steven recalled of this time.
VIP matched Steven with a volunteer lawyer who negotiated with the landlord to allow Steven access to reclaim his items.
“I cannot thank you enough. I would have lost years of work without VIP. It’s been a major help to myself, my micro-business, and my relationships.”
*All names are pseudonyms.