A Safe & Loving Home for Nik
Donation protected
My name is Christiana Jarrett. I am a Christian, a wife, a recent college graduate, and a mother. I am also a former inmate. My story is not a pretty one, but it is one that rings of grace, forgiveness, and hope. At the age of 20 I had a beautiful son named Nikitas. During that period my life was headed down a path of destruction and substance abuse that would inevitably take me away from my darling boy for five long years.
I am now on the other side of that incarceration for almost 3 years, but I have rarely had the opportunity to see my son. He lives with his father who has occasionally allowed me to see him…often every few months for just a day or two. Legally I have as much of a right to see my son as his father, but I have tried to be patient and just pray that his father’s heart would open up and allow me to see Nik on a regular basis. Unfortunately, it has become more and more apparent that this is not the case. I’ve been told I could see my son countless times only to be stood up or ignored by his father. I’ve discovered that Nik has consistently not been told by his father that I want to see him and be a bigger part of his life.
Three weeks ago, my son tearfully told me that he wanted to live with me, not his father. Given my past, I’ve tried to bend over backwards to be flexible with his father and to bounce back whenever I’ve expected to see my son and it falls through. I’ve struggled to know when I should push and when I should step back. I’ve decided now is not only the time to push, it is time to fight. My son’s father is never going to put my son’s life first. He abused me physically and emotionally, and now I’ve learned he is abusing my son emotionally too. Nik’s most basic needs such as food and clothing are not supplied. All I want is for my precious, brilliant, animal-loving little boy to know he is safe and that he is loved more than anything in this world.
My husband and I have decided to empty our savings account to pay for a lawyer to go to court for full custody of my son. The retainer is $5000, and it will be more if we have to go past mediation onto a trial. This is far beyond what we can afford, which is why we are humbly asking for assistance from anyone that feels led to give. We would be forever grateful for any help we receive for Nik. He belongs in a home where he feels loved and cherished. Where he doesn’t have to worry about supper being on the table. Where his success and health are the top priority. We want to give him all of this and more. Please help us do this for Nik.
**If we receive donations that go beyond what we need for lawyer fees, all funds will go into a college account for Nik.**
I am now on the other side of that incarceration for almost 3 years, but I have rarely had the opportunity to see my son. He lives with his father who has occasionally allowed me to see him…often every few months for just a day or two. Legally I have as much of a right to see my son as his father, but I have tried to be patient and just pray that his father’s heart would open up and allow me to see Nik on a regular basis. Unfortunately, it has become more and more apparent that this is not the case. I’ve been told I could see my son countless times only to be stood up or ignored by his father. I’ve discovered that Nik has consistently not been told by his father that I want to see him and be a bigger part of his life.
Three weeks ago, my son tearfully told me that he wanted to live with me, not his father. Given my past, I’ve tried to bend over backwards to be flexible with his father and to bounce back whenever I’ve expected to see my son and it falls through. I’ve struggled to know when I should push and when I should step back. I’ve decided now is not only the time to push, it is time to fight. My son’s father is never going to put my son’s life first. He abused me physically and emotionally, and now I’ve learned he is abusing my son emotionally too. Nik’s most basic needs such as food and clothing are not supplied. All I want is for my precious, brilliant, animal-loving little boy to know he is safe and that he is loved more than anything in this world.
My husband and I have decided to empty our savings account to pay for a lawyer to go to court for full custody of my son. The retainer is $5000, and it will be more if we have to go past mediation onto a trial. This is far beyond what we can afford, which is why we are humbly asking for assistance from anyone that feels led to give. We would be forever grateful for any help we receive for Nik. He belongs in a home where he feels loved and cherished. Where he doesn’t have to worry about supper being on the table. Where his success and health are the top priority. We want to give him all of this and more. Please help us do this for Nik.
**If we receive donations that go beyond what we need for lawyer fees, all funds will go into a college account for Nik.**
Organiser
Christiana Jarrett
Organiser
Mebane, NC
