Help My Friend’s Little Family

My name is Rebecca Root and I’m writing this on behalf of a beloved friend, Angie M. who has found herself in a financial nightmare due to leaving her long term abuser.

In 2018 Angie married hoping for a life full of happiness and it quickly became anything but that. Over the course of the next few years she found herself being abused physically, emotionally, financially and in unthinkable ways daily. Some time just shy of a year ago she fled with her child to safety, filed a restraining order and began to heal. During this time a divorce was filed and she continued raising her daughter entirely by herself as the father hadn’t gotten supervised visitation until June of 2022. My friend’s single parent income does not support obtaining an attorney who is willing to fight with her. Angie is currently using free legal aid to represent her but you get what you pay for and this does not compete with the opposing sides 2 high end attorneys. Her current attorney will end up costing her more emotionally and financially than it would to pay for representation that will accurately and fairly get them to justice. It’s necessary for a positive outcome in regards to custody and the restraining order to ensure her own safety along with her child. She has found a lawyer she would like to use but the retainer and hourly rate is out of reach. Her abuser is represented by two different attorneys in court as this is a combined VPO and divorce case.

Angie and her daughter have become a part of my family in the last year and I have watched her struggle with a positive outlook every single day. I have cried with her as we revisit traumas and hardships, I have celebrated with her over little victories like getting her first rental home by herself or being safe another day. I have watched her work full time to provide for her little family and then come home to raise her child all while living across country from her family. She will tell you how scared she is but everyone else would tell you how brave she has been.

I am asking for your help to ensure the safety of this young mother and her daughter. Anything helps. She is one of the most kind people and their little family deserved so much better. Whether you take a second to pray for them or find yourself able to donate towards her legal fees it’s extremely appreciated. Please help me help my friend get her life back.