Support Amanda's Journey to Stability and Safety

Hello,

My name is Amanda and I am a single mother of three children who is in recovery from a very Toxic and Abusive 20 Year marriage. In 2023, after yet another fight and being kicked out of our Family home by a narcissistic and physically abusive husband, I decided that this would be the last time My children and I would ever be put into this position.

During the mandatory separation and state mandated no contact period, I worked a full time job and took care of my children. I maxed out credit cards, took out pay day loans, and personal loans to try to keep up with the bills. This started taking a toll on us Financially. As a married couple, we would bring in about $9000 a month with My ex-husband making the majority of the money. Being a Single financial supporter making $21 an hour, I was not able to keep up with the monthly demands and I was not receiving any financial help from the ex husband.

In June of 2024, Our divorce was finalized and I was awarded with receiving Alimony but no child support since our parenting arrangement was for shared custody. I have not received one cent of the Alimony since June 0f 2024. I was laid off of my job in February and, due to a previous unemployment claim, I am not able to receive Unemployment. My car was repossessed in April which makes it that much more difficult to get to a job.

I have filed and won the Contempt of Court case against my ex-husband, yet he continues to not follow the courts ruling.

During the time of filing for contempt and attending the hearing, I went through a Full Hysterectomy and am currently recovering from that surgery making it difficult for me to start a job when I have been ordered by my Doctor to have 8 weeks of recovery.

I am looking for another job and doing what I can in order to keep my children and I in our home. I do not have family that can help us with money or with housing, should I find us evicted.

Even though I did the work to escape from an abusive relationship and have tried to be the best parent for my children, I still feel like I am being financially and emotionally abused by this man. I fear for my children and their safety and mental health when they are with him. And, because of my lack of money, I am not able to fight for them or for me. I cannot afford an attorney, I cannot buy a car to be able to transport them places. So when they do need to get to school or get to or from my house, I am reliant on him to be able to transport them. This always makes me nervous because I never know when or if he will be bringing them to me.

Coming from an abusive man like this, it is very hard for me to ask for help. But, here I am. I am asking for help to be able to pay rent, pay bills, and pay for groceries. I would appreciate any advice or words of encouragement to help me through this very difficult and scary time. I will persevere so that I can give my children and I a good life and be able to make changes happen.