Community Rallies To Get Woman Living In Tent A New Camper

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A woman who has been sleeping in a tent touched the hearts of the many who came together to help her during the holiday season.

A GoFundMe page, "Move Shinnecock Elder Out Of Tent," was created by Tela Troge to come to the aid of Jennifer E. Cuffee-Wilson.

Cuffee-Wilson, the page said, "needs our help this winter to get emergency housing. Jennifer is featured in the Conscience Point documentary alongside her cousin, Becky."

A message from the Poor People's Campaign, she said, read: As some of you know, we have been very concerned about our friend Jennifer from the Shinnecock Nation, as she heads into what is expected to be a very cold winter living in a tent. We have just received some good news: There is a chance to purchase a camper for only $5,500. Please contribute whatever you can to make this a reality."

Jennifer's cousin Becky said a camper was found in excellent condition. "My family has a 501c3, established in 1994, and we have helped others in the tribe," she said. "We are scraping our dollars together to get this camper for her."

Those who want to help Jennifer should send a check to Padoquohan Medicine Lodge, 501c3 Inc., P.O. Box 5078, Southampton, New York 11969, with "Jennifer" in the memo.

"The camper is only a temporary solution as we look for a more permanent solution to help Jennifer. Shinnecock will look into building tiny homes as well so please reach out if you have any information or connections to tiny home builders or funding," the page said.

On Christmas Eve, an update to the page read, "We reached our fundraising goal to buy Jen's heated camper! Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!! Tubutne (Thank you)!"