Help Colby Heal

Hi, my name is JoBeth Ellett, and Colby Stolzer is my dear friend. He is my chosen family. I know that everyone who is in Colby's life is aware in some capacity of his struggle in the foster system. Some of us more than others. However, there are people who may be reading this that don't know his story, so I will share just a simple synopsis as not to say more than what he, as the victim, would be comfortable with.

Colby was thrown into the foster system at the age of three after suffering extreme abuse. While in the foster system, he was introduced very quickly and at a very young age to drugs and alcohol. He was being raped repeatedly, beaten, drugged, and sold. This all continued for the remainder of his time in foster care. Of course, by the time he escaped his last foster parent (into the hands of another predator), he had developed many addictions and was so severely traumatized that he stayed with his predators. His mind had been totally re-wired from all of the abuse that he had experienced, and the cycle continued for him. **DISCLAIMER: Trust me when I say that this is a VERY short synopsis and in no way reflects the amount of trauma that this man has gone through. This is not my story to tell.

Eventually, Colby came to find his husband, Brent. Brent loves Colby with a different kind of love than I've seen from others. He loves hard, and Colby is absolutely his "why."

Now, this is why we are raising funds. Colby desperately wants to address the trauma that affects him daily. Because his PTSD is so severe, he NEEDS an inpatient program. His insurance company will not cover this service. Colby needs this! Honestly, Colby deserves this! If you need a reason why then let me give you a few......

1) Colby experienced so much severe trauma as a child. No child deserves this. No adult deserves this, for that matter. Imagine if you were suddenly gone and your child went into foster care. They had debilitating PTSD, but insurance won't pay, and they didn't have funds for upfront payment. Wouldn't you pray that they were able to find help from the heart of strangers?

2) Colby would give the shirt off his back to anyone. He is forever promoting friends, strangers, and any causes he believes in. He's a builder. He wants to build you up, and who doesn't want that. It's time for us to build him up!

3) Colby is a great advocate in our community. His creation of Grace Case Youth and all of the time and passion he puts into it are inspiring. Not only does he advocate for children in Foster care, but so many other causes. Colby sees himself in all of these foster kids. He wants to save them all. He believes in protecting anyone and anything that is vulnerable. He is approachable, and it seems like people feel safe talking to him. He takes pride in that.

4) Colby LOVES this community!!!! He promotes your businesses. He promotes our town.

I know that the Vieve is capable of pretty amazing things. I know that so many of us love Colby for who he is and what he stands for. I know that Colby has so many friends outside of the Vieve that want to see him succeed.

I'M CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN COME TOGETHER AND SUCCEED TO "HELP COLBY HEAL"