• Name: Paola Gonzalez
• Hometown: Albany, N.Y.

Unemployment benefits kept me alive for the last three years. My benefits were $405 a week, minus taxes. They expired in August.

To supplement that, I started selling my old engineering textbooks online. I have been able to get $447. It's not much, but it's some money for basic needs.

In 2006, I started teaching actors to fight. That's what's been saving me. I've been able to get some jobs as a fight coordinator.

I can't afford renting any more. I am lucky a friend of mine is helping me, letting me stay in his apartment for free if I take care of the electricity.

I am taking a class with Liberty Tax. I hope I can work for four months doing taxes.

I'm trying everything I can.

NEXT: All pitching in