Help me fight for my boys (DV survivor)

I am writing this with extreme vulnerability. I have hesitated to do this for a while now but I was encouraged by friends and family. I know my kids are worth the humiliation I might feel by sharing this.

I left the state of Texas in the middle of the night and moved myself and my boys to Georgia to escape the abusive hands of their father. With fear, I made the decision to leave the life I worked so hard to build and start completely over far away from this man.

My safety was concerned due to the fact that this man had been arrested for the second time in three months for domestic violence with this final time threats that made me scared for my life. I wish I could say that this was the first time me but like most abuse cases, that is rarely the reality.

I was given an emergency protective order protecting me and children for the max amount of time. We started our new life at my mom’s house as she is also currently fighting breast cancer. My job was able to transfer me. The boys started an AMAZING school here. We started going to church. We spent Easter with family and friends. My oldest is Autistic and was about to start school in one of the best special needs programs in the nation. We found our strength together and continued to not just survive but thrive.

This is where I ask for help. Last week we went to court with full preparation to share my story to the judge. This was the first time I faced my abuser since the last event. Unfortunately, me leaving the state for my safety did not work in my favor. The judge made a ruling that the children needed to be back in Texas and reset our date. This defaulted my abuser to have my children until I could find a way back to Texas. Meaning giving up my career, leaving my mom to fight alone, and my children losing the amazing education I secured for them. My children were living in a one bedroom apartment with an abusive man. After four days I found my children’s safety was concerned so I drove to Texas to get them. We are now staying with friends and I am not working. So they have lost their home, security and stability. I am having to support them without a job all while paying for amazing lawyers to help us out of this situation.

I am humbly asking for help as I continue to fight for our safety and help secure a better future for the boys and myself.