Hi everyone,

I never imagined I’d be starting something like this, but after what my husband and I witnessed, I couldn’t just walk away and pretend it didn’t happen.

We were at Great Plains Park in Aurora, Colorado, when we met a brave mother out with her three children — an 11-year-old daughter, a 5-year-old son, and a baby boy around 2 years old. They were selling cotton candy for $5 a bag, doing their best to make a little money. Her daughter was walking up to people, trying to sell, while her little brother held the baby and stayed close to her side. It was hard to see. No child should have to worry about helping their mom survive.

As we were leaving, we noticed the mother crying while speaking to a police officer. Her daughter was still trying to sell. We got closer, and my husband spoke with her.

That’s when she shared something that broke our hearts.

Her ex had just come to the park and verbally and physically attacked her — right in front of the children. She showed us the bruises on her arms from just the day before. She explained that he’s currently wanted for missing court, but that doesn’t undo the fear, pain, or trauma he’s caused.

She was just trying to make ends meet — peacefully, respectfully — and instead she was assaulted in a public park, in front of her babies.

No mother should have to live like this.

No child should have to witness their mom being abused.

This GoFundMe is being created with her full permission. She needs help. She needs safety. And she deserves a chance to breathe and rebuild.

All proceeds will go directly to this mother and her children — to help them with food, shelter, basic needs, and emotional recovery.

If you can donate, even a little, thank you. If not, please share this. Your support could change their lives in ways we can’t even imagine right now.