<div>Help a Survivor of Domestic Violence and Her 4 Children Start Over
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<div>This summer, I met a woman who, due to domestic violence, is alone and struggling with four beautiful children who deserve to live a life of peace.
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<div>I am reaching out to ask for help on her behalf. Everyone who knows me knows that I have never done this before. I help on my own and contribute when I can, but this time I felt moved to actually do something bigger. She is a mother of four beautiful children, ages 3 to 13, who recently escaped an unimaginable domestic violence situation. She left with nothing but her kids and the determination to keep them safe. Her youngest child is currently being diagnosed with autism. Yet she still continues to stay away from her abuser in order to keep her children safe, despite the fact that her life would be much easier if she returned.
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<div>Her Story
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<div>When she finally found the courage to leave, she had nowhere to go. A stay at home mom, with no income of her own, she was desperate.  She and her children were sleeping in an emergency room one night when the police and children’s services became involved, and she was placed in a hotel.
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<div>But what most people don’t know is how broken the system can be. For a full month in that hotel, NO ONE checked on her or her kids. They were given no food and no support. She didn’t know what resources were available to her or that she should have been receiving help. Out of sheer desperation, she posted online asking strangers for food.
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<div>Instead of receiving compassion, she was met with harsh criticism—accusations of being a scammer, people telling her to “get a job,” and very little genuine help. Even worse, people who would promise to drop off food and then never show.
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<div>That’s how I found her. Something kept drawing me back to her post. When I reached out and asked for a grocery list, her requests were simple and humble: Beefaroni, ramen noodles, bottled water, cereal. Not the words of someone trying to take advantage—just a mom trying to feed her kids.
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<div>What She’s Been Through
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<div>After being together for a decade, her significant other gradually became more and more abusive. Starting off mentally and escalating into physical violence against her. After being beat up once again, her 12 year-old daughter asked her how she could possibly stay with a man who treats her like this. Terrified that her daughter would end up in similar situations, she ran.
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<div>Since meeting her, I’ve been helping however I can: Getting her connected to Medicaid and food stamps (which first required paying for her children’s birth certificates). She just got approved for food stamps on Sunday, August 25, and now she has to wait for her card to show up which will go to a domestic violence PO Box and then have to be delivered to her. 
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<div>Helping her find clothing and school supplies for the kids
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<div>Connecting her with resources in the school system.
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<div>Encouraging her and reminding her that she is not alone.
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<div>She has never once asked me for money. Everything I’ve done for her has been because I offered. She has been overwhelmingly grateful for every bit of kindness shown. I anticipate that she will be a friend of my 
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<div>family friend I wanted to find for as long as I’m around.
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<div>After a month in the hotel, she and her children were finally moved into transitional housing, which is a shelter. Recently, she received the best news she’s had in a long time: in about 30 days, she will be eligible for permanent housing. Because you have to show zero income for housing, she is not allowed to apply for cash assistance until after she has been placed. Crazy rules in order to keep her
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<div>wholly dependent on the kindness of others.
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<div>Why I’m Asking for Help
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<div>This is an incredible step forward, but when she moves into her new place, she will have nothing. No beds, no dishes, no towels, no furniture—nothing to make it a safe and comfortable home for her kids.
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<div>She has no car, no family to turn to, and no friends she can lean on. She was an only child of an addicted mother who passed away, and her abuser made sure to isolate her from everyone else. She has truly been left with no one and nothing. And yet—she is brave. She is determined. She is choosing to start over for the sake of her children. My goal is to help this family walk into their new home with hope, stability, and the essentials they need to begin again.
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<div>How You Can Help
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<div>I am grateful to all those who have reached out to let us know about places to receive donations of furniture once she receives a home. We have made note and will be ready to go once she gets some notice. Every dollar raised will go directly to the family for among other things: 
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<div>Clothing &amp; shoes for the kids
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<div>Groceries &amp; basic needs as they settle in
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<div>Transportation assistance (bus passes, rideshares, or support for eventual reliable transportation), and possibly a small savings account that she can have as a safety net. We all have somebody in our life who we could call or fall back on in case of an emergency, but she truly is alone.  
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<div>*At this time she has nowhere to store any furniture or household items, so unfortunately we cannot take these donations.
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<div>Final Words
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<div>This mother is one of the most humble and grateful people I have ever met. She didn’t choose this life, but she is bravely choosing to change it—for herself and her children.
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<div>I was hesitant to do GoFundMe because of the fee that they take, but I also wanted everyone to realize this is legitimate.  If you are able to contribute, please know that your gift will directly impact a family starting from rock bottom. If you cannot give, please keep this family in your prayers and share this page so others may see it. If you would prefer to donate gift cards, that would be wonderful, as well. 
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<div>Together, we can give them the chance for a safe, hopeful future.
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<div>Thank you for reading, for caring, and for helping this family take their first steps toward healing and stability
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Janette Spedden

Dave Rohrbaugh

Terry Oneill

Kristina Redmer

Sandy Kelly

Kathleen McCue

Julie Uhl

Lisa Giannetti

Anne Huston

Trisha Scott

Pam Szeliga

Rachel Sagi

Trang Dean

Jen Leipold

Mary Jane Miskelly Hartlove

Maura Dunnigan

Katharine Murdza

Julie Bartel McKinley

Debra Adams

PLEASE HELP ME HELP A FAMILY IN NEED!

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PLEASE HELP ME HELP A FAMILY IN NEED!

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