As many of you know I've been very involved in helping my niece Graci throughout her life. Often times just providing her a safe haven to go to for love and support. She's like a daughter to me. In her short 8 years of existence she has seen, heard and been through more than most normal people have in there entire life, from a negative perspective. I've always wanted to intervene and did have her for 6 months before her birth mother, who hadn't been in her life, came back into the picture when she was almost 7. She got an attorney and did get custody back. Since then it's been even worse than ever before. The # of CPS cases are sickening and I can't watch this go on any longer. Most recently the mother was charged with a felony DWI because the children where in the car. I don't want to go to her funeral, nor do I want to lose her to foster care. CPS has placed her in my care a 2nd time now and this time I have a chance at actually getting custody. I wasn't prepared for the call today though and must come up with the $3500 retainer to get the custody case started before the state comes in and takes her. She did so well with us last time when we had her in counseling and gave her the constant love, attention and structure she so desperately wanted and needed. I took the $1,000 I had out of my savings today, that was going to be going towards buying a house for my family in the fall, to put down with the attorney today. We were hit with $7500 in medical bills this year and have struggled to pay them all off so we could even begin to save for a house. I just don't have the rest and need help. I need to get the full $3500 paid before papers will be filed and this is all happening so fast. If there's not a custody petitioned for in the courts by the time the state steps in then I will lose her. I'm not one to ask for a hand out and I don't like asking for help or money, but for my niece I will swallow my pride because it's what I have to do. Please, no matter how large or small, every bit will help. For anyone close to me, if you need a babysitter or have side jobs I can do on the weekends I will even work for the money. I just need this help and I need it fast. Thank you.