***Imagine finding out that everything you believed to be safe and stable was an illusion.***

My name is Jennifer, and today I’m sharing the story of my cousin Krystal and her two incredible kids, Penny and Elijah, whose lives changed overnight in a way no family should ever experience.

Krystal is a person who radiates kindness, always putting others before herself and doing whatever she can to make her little corner of the world a better place. Her children, Penny, a bright-eyed, artistic 8-year-old, and Elijah, her sweet, playful 5-year-old, mean everything to her. They were a happy family. Krystal was back in school, working hard to give her kids a better future, and they had dreams and goals as any family does. They were thriving.

Then, in an instant, that security was shattered. Earlier this year, Krystal’s husband, who had been their sole provider, was taken into custody. He’s now facing serious criminal charges that no one who knew him could ever have anticipated. The person Krystal thought she could trust most is now gone from their lives in a way that defies comprehension.

In that moment, Krystal was left holding the weight of this devastating truth on her own. Suddenly, she was a single mother with no financial support, no nearby family to lean on, and no clear path forward.

In the six months since, Krystal has fought relentlessly to protect her kids’ stability, to shield them from the tidal wave of change and grief that has taken over their lives. She’s done everything possible to keep Penny and Elijah in their familiar school, surrounded by friends and familiar faces, trying to give them a sense of normalcy when everything else feels ripped away. But despite every effort, the financial burden has become too much. Even Georgia’s Victim Compensation Program, meant to help in times like these, covers only a fraction of their needs.

Krystal has tried every local resource, only to hear over and over that they couldn’t help, or that their funds had run dry. Every day, she wakes up wondering how much longer she can make this work, how she can hold it all together for Penny and Elijah. She’s had to put her own dreams on hold, leaving college yet again to focus solely on survival and creating whatever stability she can manage for her kids.

Today, I’m asking for your help, not just for Krystal’s family, but to start something bigger. Your support means shelter and stability for Penny and Elijah. It means Krystal can focus on healing and getting back on her feet. And it means we can start building a foundation to help other families facing the unthinkable.

Donations will go to food, rent, utilities, bills, therapy, transportation, legal fees, health

Here’s how you can make a real difference:

1. Donate

— Every bit counts. Even a small donation will help Krystal keep her family safe, and any extra will go toward starting the foundation we so desperately need.

2. Share

— Please share Krystal’s story on social media or with anyone who might want to help. Each share brings us closer to giving her family the chance they deserve.

3. Email

— Forward this link to friends, family, and anyone who may be interested in supporting this cause: https://gofund.me/bef7c664

Thank you, from the depths of our hearts, for reading Krystal’s story. Whether you can donate, share, or keep her family in your thoughts, your kindness means the world. Together, we can help them rebuild their life and create hope for others.

With endless gratitude,

Jennifer

Update: 11/07/24