<div>Breaking the Cycle: My Story of Survival, Trauma, and Choosing to Heal

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>I grew up in a double-wide trailer with my grandmother, uncle, sister, and cousin. To my childhood eyes, I had everything: a yard to play in and kind neighbors. I saw hardworking people all around me, and I’m forever grateful for that foundation. But as I got older, the "perfect world" I thought I lived in began to reveal its cracks.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>A History of Trauma My mother passed away at 41—the victim of an autoimmune disorder and a broken heart. She had a hard life, marked by abuse and trauma that people called "psycho," but I saw a woman with a heart of gold who just didn't know how to heal. I was a newborn experiencing trauma before I even had words for it. By the time I was a preteen, I discovered that alcohol made the things that bothered me disappear. I was an AB honor roll student by day, but I was drinking every day I could just to survive.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>The Strength to Survive I survived. I got my diploma against all odds. I’ve owned cars, had my own places, and worked hard. I eventually found myself working for the Department of Adult Corrections. But the biggest change came with my two sons. I want to be better for them than the environment I was raised in. I’ve shown up to work with a smile on my face while battling anxiety, depression, and the weight of my past.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Why I Am Asking For Help Recently, I had to make the hardest decision of my life. I resigned from my job at the Department of Corrections. I had to admit that I couldn’t take it anymore—the years of trauma and the mental health struggles finally caught up to me.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>I’m not looking for a handout; I’m looking for a way out of the cycle. I am sick of the past consuming me. I want to live past the age my mother did. I want to give my boys the world, but I can't do that if I am empty.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>How Your Support Will Help My goal of $12,000 will serve as a 3-month "Stability Bridge" for my sons and me. Since I am currently without income while I focus on intensive mental health recovery, these funds will go directly toward:

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Securing our housing (Rent and utilities)

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Daily essentials (Groceries and supplies for my boys)

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Mental health care so I can return to the workforce stronger than before.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>If you cannot give financially, your prayers and words of encouragement mean the world to us. Thank you for listening to my story and helping me choose a different future for my family.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Other ways to support:

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>CashApp: $ChanteBrittonn

</div>

Cassandra Blue

Anonymous

Help a Mother of Two Heal & Break the Cycle

Still $2,650 to go. Help us build momentum.