On New Year’s Eve 2015, while driving for Uber, I was rear ended by a drunk driver.   During the accident, I suffered damage to both my lumbar and cervical vertebrae, as well as closed head trauma.  This terrible accident has prevented me from working. 
     Prior to the accident, I was an avid yoga student, gym rat, bike enthusiast, and all-around health conscious individual who worked 40+ hours a week.
  I am a 20-year veteran of the makeup industry and at the time of the accident I was contracted with five different makeup companies.
   Working in the beauty industry goes far beyond simple aesthetics. I believe that outer beauty is directly connected to inner beauty.   Having worked with numerous clients from local news to department stores to brides-to-be, I was living the idea that feeling good inside leads to confidence and beauty outside. Five years ago, I took that mission to heart and laid the foundation for a non-profit (501C3) for women in recovery called, Promise House. The program is also endorsed by Doorway to Recovery, and I recently became a licensed chaplain.
    Having been sober myself for almost 9 years, I am deeply familiar with the difficulties these women face on a day-to-day basis.  Since Promise House began, I have had the pleasure of working with countless women throughout the greater Detroit area.  Some are mothers with children young and old, others are veterans who have served our country, and many are like you or the women we all encounter in our daily lives.  I have come to consider these women as family.  Noting their basic need for emotional support and rehabilitating their lives.
    Their needs have ranged  from simply helping them work through issues to  recognizing destructive behavior and directing them to proper treatment.   
   The past 15 months have been riddled with numerous insurance delays and litigations due to the unfair treatment by my former ride sharing employer.
  This company's harsh methods and uncaring consideration has contributed greatly to my current difficulties.
   Despite my vigorous attempts to speed things along, Uber’s insurance company ceased their payments to me in October 2016.  While the case could close within the next 5 months, this is not a certainty.
  This affair has forced me to liquidate my personal savings, much of my personal income whilst working, went to making Promise House a success.
   While it’s deeply troubling to look at the impending possibility of losing my apartment, my car, and my medical support—some utilities have already been cut off— the one joy that has kept my spirits high, is my ability to give to the women of Promise House their sense of purpose that they so desperately need and deserve.
 It has been said that the best way to get through a tough time, is to help someone else get through theirs.
  It would be joyful blessing to raise at least $3000 toward my basic expenses.  These are commitments that I have not been able to cover for the past 6 months. 
  A portion of the proceeds  would go toward continuing the much-needed support system of Promise House as I am currently working with approximately 30 women in recovery.  

Thank for taking the time to read my story.  As you consider being a part of this GoFundMe, I'll leave you with a few highlights:

1) Actively assisting women in recovery ages 21 to 73.

2) Provided sponsorship and support for women attendees of annual  recovery conferences.

3) Presented women's issues   on WHPR  TV Xpose  on 2/27/2017.

4) Represented Promise House Organization on WHPRTV Judge Deborah Thomas on  2/25/2017

5) Appeared on Channel 50 Street Beat 2/15/2014 to discuss my charitable enterprises for women.

6) Active participant at Panel/Speaking appearances at various recovery conferences in greater detroit area.

7) Current receipient of a scholarship for Peer Mentorship Certification for the State of Michigan training through the Detroit Recovery Project.